Cyber incidents rise sharply in Australia; outdated systems expose networks to hackers

Well, Australians could face more unexpected outages of essential online services as cyber threats grow, with the country's signals intelligence agency warning that system security must take priority over availability. The agency said that artificial intelligence is helping hackers and hostile governments launch more effective attacks, urging businesses and critical infrastructure operators to strengthen their defenses. In its annual cyber threat report, the Australian Signals Directorate, or ASD, said that it responded to 1,500 cybersecurity incidents in the 2025-26 financial year. This is a 20% increase from the previous year. It also notified businesses, government agencies and critical infrastructure operators of more than 4,400 potentially malicious cyber incidents, up 80% in a year. The agency warned that foreign governments, criminals and hackers are using AI to gather intelligence, exploit vulnerabilities, disrupt critical infrastructure and steal money. ASD Director General Abigail Bradshaw said that Australia must use advanced AI to automate its cyber defences and stay ahead of AI-enabled attackers. The agency said that AI tools can help organisations identify system weaknesses, detect suspicious activity and respond to threats more quickly. But it warned that outdated technology and unsupported systems remain among the most attractive targets for hackers. ASD also reported persistent attempts by state-linked actors to breach Australian government and private networks, warning that some attacks in the Indo-Pacific could be preparing for future intelligence gathering or disruption. The agency has urged organizations to modernize their technology, update vulnerable systems, and report suspicious activity.