E-security Awareness Week Launch
Melbourne
Friday, 5 June 2009
Thank you and good morning everyone.
It is a pleasure to be here.
I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all of you here today to help launch E-security Awareness Week.
I would particularly like to acknowledge all of our industry and community partners.
The message this week is simple… being more secure online can be as easy as getting a better, stronger password.
Indeed, today we are marking Change your Password Day.
People should do it today as a simple step towards being more secure online.
The Rudd Government has made a strong commitment to drive confidence in the online environment by promoting cyber-safety and e-security.
People are already enjoying a whole range of benefits and conveniences via the internet… home banking, education, business services and online trading, to name a few.
With confidence, people and businesses are more likely to embrace new services and conduct more online transactions in the future.
Importantly, this activity supports companies and other organisations helping develop Australia’s digital economy.
Confidence is essential to ensure Australia enjoys the productivity and employment benefits that will flow from our digital infrastructure investments.
This is of particular importance as we lay Australia’s broadband foundations.
The National Broadband Network will result in high-speed connectivity for all Australian homes and businesses.
It will create new opportunities for companies to improve the way they deliver their products.
Australians will have access to information and tools to conduct their day-to-day transactions.
Broadband will support huge improvements in health and in education.
It will also support vital public services such as our electricity grids and water supplies.
Our increased dependence on broadband infrastructure and online services means we have a shared responsibility to ensure their security.
People need to understand the simple steps they can take to be more secure online.
E-security Awareness Week is an important part of our efforts in this area.
The messages for Australians are simple:
- get a better, stronger password and change it at least twice a year
- get security software, and update and patch it regularly
- stop and think before you click on links from unknown sources, and
- be careful about the valuable personal details you give away online.
People should log on to www.staysmartonline.gov.au for further information and to join the email e-security alert service.
There are also tips at the site about how to strengthen your online passwords.
Things like:
- using a minimum of eight characters,
- a mix of upper and lower case letters,
- at least one number, and
- at least one symbol.
This week will see a whole range of excellent e-security events designed to promote the simple things people can do to stay smart online.
There will be:
- education sessions for families,
- seminars for small business, and
- briefings for the leaders of some our largest companies.
In addition, many organisations such as our banks and credit unions are helping to promote the e-security message.
Once again I’d like to acknowledge the fantastic support of our partners who are participating this coming week.
Additionally, it gives me pleasure today to launch a new e-security package for Australian schools.
Young people are among some of the most avid technology users in our community.
Kids today have grown up with the internet and mobile phones.
They are always connected and often deeply engaged with new social networking services.
Our new interactive learning modules are designed to raise the awareness of Australian school students about e-security.
They aim to educate kids about smart online practices.
The program is specifically targeted at Year 3 and Year 9 students.
It provides interactive e-security tools to help students understand the importance of e-security and the simple steps they can take to be more secure online.
Of course, given their experience online, young people are also in a great position to help their families improve e-security at home.
The package, from today, is available free for all Australian schools from the Stay Smart Online website.
Once again, it is a great pleasure to be here today.
E-security Awareness Week is a key event to ensure that Australia develops the confidence to thrive in the digital economy.
The message is simple… being more secure online can be as easy as getting a better, stronger password.
It is now my pleasure to declare E-security Awareness Week open.
Thank you for your time and support.
