The AUSec Summit 2023: Exploring essential collaboration between national security agencies and industry partners.

In an increasingly digitally connected world, the landscape of national security globally has evolved dramatically. Traditional threats persist, but the emergence of cyber warfare, transnational terrorism, and asymmetric threats has ushered in a new era of challenges. To effectively address these issues, it’s clear national security agencies must embrace a more collaborative approach with industry partners. The AUSec summit provides the platform for Australian private and public sector stakeholders to come together and highlight the current challenges in the sector and discuss ways to address them. 

The changing nature of Australian National Security.

National security today extends far beyond traditional military defence. It encompasses a wide array of threats, from cyberattacks and economic espionage to global pandemics and climate change. As the threat landscape becomes more complex, the resources and expertise required to combat these challenges are often found outside the boundaries of government agencies.

Industry often possesses specialised knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and innovative solutions that can significantly enhance national security efforts. Better collaboration allows government agencies to tap into this expertise. The private sector also thrives on unencumbered innovation, and by working closely with industry, national security agencies can harness new technologies and strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Financial and general resource constraints are a reality for many government agencies. Collaborating with industry partners can provide access to additional resources, funding, and infrastructure that it otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Having greater resources can also help Australian government to be quicker and more dynamic, and rapid responses to emerging threats are critical. Industry partnerships can streamline decision-making and response efforts, helping agencies react more swiftly than they otherwise might have.

During the AUSec Summit, stakeholders from government including Defence, the AFP, ASIO, ACSC, DFAT and CSIRO came together to discuss national security and cyber challenges on their plate and the road ahead in addressing them. 

Some of the more consistent challenges across the portfolio included third-party risk, greater collaboration in sharing of threat intelligence and the role of AI in our national security posture moving forward. Below are some of the key takeaways, challenges, and objectives across these subjects. 

Managing third party risk.

While government/private sector partnerships offer numerous benefits, they also expose sensitive government departments to third party risks. To safeguard sensitive information, national security, and public trust, government stakeholders must carefully consider and manage these risks when engaging with the private sector. 

Government agencies operate within a framework of strict regulatory and compliance standards. When partnering with private sector entities, agencies must ensure that their industry collaborators adhere to these regulations, particularly those pertaining to data protection, privacy, and security. Evaluating the compliance history and ongoing commitments of third-party vendors is crucial.

Protecting sensitive government data is paramount. Government agencies must assess how third-party vendors handle, store, and transmit data. This includes evaluating encryption practices, access controls, and data retention policies to ensure that data remains secure and compliant with government standards. Cyber threats are a constant concern. Agencies should assess the cybersecurity posture of third-party partners, including their incident response plans, vulnerability management, and employee selection and training frameworks. Ensuring that vendors align with government security standards is essential for safeguarding against cyberattacks. 

Conducting a thorough risk assessment and due diligence process before entering into partnerships is crucial. Agencies must evaluate potential third-party risks, including financial stability, reputation, and legal history. This helps in identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities. As part of this pre-engagement activity, clear, comprehensive contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) are essential for defining expectations and obligations. As well as performance indicators and milestones, these documents should outline security requirements, compliance standards, incident reporting procedures, and the consequences of non-compliance.

Government agencies should establish clear procedures for reporting and responding to security incidents involving third-party partners. Effective coordination ensures that breaches or vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and that appropriate actions are taken to protect government interests. 

Collaboration doesn't end with the contract signing. Agencies should maintain ongoing oversight and monitoring of third-party activities. Regular assessments of security practices, compliance, and risk profiles help ensure that vendors meet their commitments. Contingency planning is also essential. Agencies should develop exit strategies that define the process for terminating partnerships if they become untenable or pose unacceptable risks.

Maintaining transparency is vital for building and preserving public trust. Government agencies should communicate their collaboration efforts clearly and responsibly, assuring the public that their interests and sensitive data are protected.

As Government agencies increasingly rely on private sector partnerships to fulfill their missions efficiently, an enhanced diligence and mature approach needs to work hand in hand with increased partnering. By proactively considering and managing associated third-party risks through compliance, data security measures, risk assessments, and contractual agreements, government agencies can reap the benefits of collaboration while safeguarding national security, sensitive information, and public trust. 

Threat intelligence sharing. 

Threats are more complex and dynamic than ever before, necessitating greater collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. One crucial aspect of this collaboration is the exchange of threat intelligence data. To enhance public cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure, government agencies need greater engagement with industry partners in sharing and leveraging threat intelligence.

Effective threat intelligence sharing enables organisations, both public and private, to proactively defend against cyberattacks, mitigate risks, and respond swiftly to emerging threats. Government agencies play a pivotal role in collecting, analysing, and disseminating valuable threat intelligence. However, to understand the current landscape and to harness the full potential of this intelligence, collaboration with the private sector is essential.

Despite both parties recognising the importance of threat intelligence sharing, government agencies often face challenges in engaging with industry partners effectively on the subject. Businesses may be hesitant to share sensitive information with government agencies due to concerns about data security and potential legal or reputational consequences. Considering complex regulatory frameworks can also be challenging for both government and industry when sharing threat information. Establishing secure and user-friendly platforms for sharing threat intelligence can also present a substantial technical challenge, requiring significant investment in infrastructure and technology from both sides to do it effectively. 

Government agencies and businesses also often have vastly different cultures, which can affect communication and collaboration. Bridging these cultural gaps is integral for effective engagement on time-sensitive challenges like threats. Government agencies must prioritise building trust with selected and pre-vetted industry partners. This will involve establishing clear guidelines for data handling, sharing protocols, and demonstrating a commitment to data security and confidentiality on both sides. Agencies also need to invest in secure and user-friendly platforms for sharing of threat intelligence securely and without prejudice. These platforms should enable real-time information sharing and foster collaboration between stakeholders.

Organisations like the ACSC has been formed to encourage public-private partnerships dedicated to cybersecurity and threat intelligence sharing. These partnerships can facilitate ongoing dialogue and collaboration between government agencies and industry. The ACSC promotes education and ongoing awareness programs to enhance the cybersecurity knowledge of government, industry, and the public. A common understanding of threats and vulnerabilities at enterprise level at least is essential for effective collaboration.

Effective engagement between government agencies and the private sector in threat intelligence sharing is essential to strengthen Australia’s cyber posture. By addressing trust issues, regulatory challenges, and technical barriers, government agencies can forge stronger partnerships with industry stakeholders. Improved collaboration will help create a more resilient Australian cybersecurity ecosystem that benefits both public and private interests moving forward.

The role of AI in cyber warfare. 

Globally, organisations are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool in the fight against cybercrime. Government agencies with a national security interest face a multitude of cyber threats, including state-sponsored attacks, espionage, data breaches, and ransomware attacks. The ever evolving and broadening nature of these threats demands advanced and adaptive security solutions. AI, particularly machine learning, is revolutionising the field of cybersecurity. 

AI-driven cybersecurity solutions excel at identifying patterns and anomalies in vast datasets, enabling the early detection of potential threats. They can analyse network traffic, system logs, and user behaviour in real time to identify suspicious activities. AI algorithms can establish a baseline of normal user and system behaviour, which allows them to detect unusual or malicious activities. They can spot deviations from the norm and trigger alerts or automated responses. 

AI can also help security analysts hunt for advanced threats by automating the analysis of large volumes of data. This enables quicker response times to emerging threats, meaning that zero-day vulnerability detection doesn’t need to trigger the tail-chasing exercise it once did. AI algorithms can identify previously unknown vulnerabilities and attack vectors by analysing code and network traffic for suspicious patterns or behaviours.

AI can help identify phishing  emails, URLs, and malicious attachments by analysing content and sender behaviours. AI-powered systems can also autonomously respond to security incidents by isolating affected systems, blocking malicious activities, and initiating countermeasures. Correctly pointed AI can also forecast potential threats and vulnerabilities based on historical data and emerging trends, allowing agencies to proactively strengthen their defences. Another use case for AI technology is adapting Natural Language Processing (NLP) models such as ChatGPT to be used to analyse and monitor communication channels for potential threats and intelligence gathering, even in multiple languages. A handy intelligence gathering tool in the fight against bad actors in the cyber and counter-terrorism realms. 

While AI holds tremendous promise for cybersecurity, there are challenges to consider for National Security agencies and partners alike. Protecting sensitive data for instance remains paramount. Agencies must ensure that AI systems do not compromise privacy rights. AI algorithms can also inherit biases present in training data, leading to potential discrimination in threat detection. Careful data curation is of course essential, especially for those protecting public interests. 

Cybercriminals may also attempt to manipulate AI systems, so agencies must develop strategies to defend against adversarial attacks centred specifically around compromising AI systems. Implementing AI in cybersecurity also requires specialised knowledge of which we have a shortage in globally but particularly in Australia. Better planning for training, recruiting, and retaining experts is essential. 

AI has emerged as a critical component of cybersecurity for Australian national security organisations. Its ability to analyse vast amounts of data, detect threats in real time, and automate incident response makes it a valuable ally in the battle against cyber threats.  

While challenges remain, the potential for AI to strengthen cybersecurity efforts, protect national interests, and defend against evolving threats is undeniable. As cyber threats continue to evolve, AI will play an increasingly pivotal role in ensuring the security and resilience of Australia's national infrastructure, public security and sensitive data.

In summary. 

AUSec 2023 was an exciting, insightful, and necessary event for anyone involved in the world of national security or cybersecurity. It offered a unique opportunity to connect with experts, learn about the latest trends, and gain valuable insights into the future of cybersecurity. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, conferences like AUSec will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategies and technologies that will safeguard Australia’s digital and economic future. For those that were in attendance, see you next year. 

Jordan C.