Date: November 20, 2024
Australians Report Cybercrime Every Six Minutes: ASD Annual Report
Cybercrime in Australia: A Growing Concern
Australians reported 87,400 cybercrime incidents in the 12 months ending June 2024, equivalent to one report every six minutes, according to the Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) Annual Cyber Threat Report for 2023-24.
Key Insights from the Report
- Decrease in Cybercrime Reports: Cybercrime reports fell by 7% compared to 2022-23.
- Rising Financial Losses:
- Average losses for individuals rose to A$30,700 (approximately US$20,082), up 17% from the previous year.
- For businesses, the average financial impact declined by 8%.
Common Cybercrime Types
The most prevalent cybercrimes affecting Australians included:
- Identity Fraud
- Online Shopping Fraud
- Online Banking Fraud
Critical Infrastructure and Government Attacks
The ASD recorded 1,100 cyber security incidents during the year. Key findings include:
- 52 incidents caused extensive damage, including attacks on government services and critical infrastructure.
- 11% of incidents specifically targeted critical infrastructure.
Government Response
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized the importance of a collective effort in strengthening Australia’s cyber security.
“Reporting cybercrime and vulnerabilities is critical for building a national threat picture and countering malicious cyber actors,” he said.
Conclusion
While the overall number of cybercrime reports has declined, rising financial losses and targeted attacks on critical sectors underline the urgent need for robust cyber security measures. Australians are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any cyber incidents to help mitigate risks.