Media Release, 24 August 2017

Telstra opens the doors to its Security Operations Centres to help Australian businesses combat rising security threat

Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Penn and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, the Hon. Dan Tehan, today officially opened Telstra’s Security Operation Centre (SOC) in Sydney, from which Telstra will offer a broad range of services to help government and enterprise customers manage their organisations’ cyber security.

The Sydney SOC opening will be followed by Melbourne’s SOC opening later this month and other locations globally in 2018.

Speaking at the launch Mr Penn said the Sydney SOC marked a critical step in Telstra’s own cyber security strategy and would be an important contribution from Telstra towards a more cyber secure Australia.

“Cyber security is a team sport requiring the collaboration of government, regulators and businesses to be successful. We all need to work together to find solutions that will help businesses and individuals better protect themselves from growing cyber security threats,” Mr Penn said.

In addition to the SOC, which will serve Telstra’s government and enterprise customers, Telstra’s cyber security strategy includes plans for:

  • Greater collaboration with government and large corporations to identify and respond to large scale threats.
  • The establishment of learning and development programs to build awareness and knowledge of cyber security amongst company workforces.

Mr Penn said as Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, Telstra had a pivotal role to play in cyber security and would deliver a range of services to protect its domestic and global customers.

“The Security Operations Centres will support our global network of more than 500 cyber security experts. This will uniquely position Telstra to better monitor, detect and respond to security incidents for our customers,” said Mr Penn.

“Our cyber security strategy aims to lift the country’s cyber security baseline through the establishment of secure connections, network-level controls and awareness campaigns for the business community as well as consumers.”

Security Operations Centres

The Security Operations Centres will provide enterprise customers with world-class security teams and increased visibility and insight for managing their business risk.

Telstra’s 2017 Cyber Security Report revealed that the rate of cybercrime has doubled in the past 12 months, with almost 60 per cent of organisations in Australia surveyed detecting a security incident on at least a monthly basis in 2016.

The security environment continues to evolve rapidly, in line with technology advancements and new, organised threats. In response, our centrally located SOCs will help customers gain visibility of their security posture and react more effectively to threats.

“The global ambition for our Security Operations Centres is to provide customers with around the clock cyber security management. We will open our Sydney and Melbourne facilities this month, with international locations targeted for opening next year,” said Mr Penn.

Working with Government

The Security Operation Centres reinforce Telstra’s commitment to working with government and industry bodies to create a cyber secure Australia.

“In the wake of recent ransomware attacks, we know that no organisation can do this alone. The government has set the agenda with a cyber security strategy which Telstra fully supports.

“Our role now is to help turn this intent into action by providing our customers with the products and services that will deliver a more secure operating environment for all Australians,” Mr Penn said.

Education and awareness

Telstra will also educate and protect the community by driving awareness and collaborating with other leading Australian businesses on best practice for cyber security.

“People are the most common cause for security incidents, often unknowingly. There is a strong need for ongoing education and development of the workforce through learning and development programs embedded into business training,” Mr Penn said.

“We also understand the need for cyber safety in our community. Over one third of Australian teenagers have personally experienced cyberbullying online and the work we’re doing with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and PROJECT ROCKIT aims to educate families and empower young people to take action on cyberbullying and online safety.”

 

Telstra Media contact: Michael Zappone +61 438 004 959, media@team.telstra.com.

Media reference number: 095/2017.