Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
Blog

What Happens When You Report a Cybersecurity Incident to the ASD?

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) recently shared a detailed post explaining how the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) supports organisations that report cyber incidents. This initiative highlights the critical role the ASD plays in helping businesses mitigate and respond to cyber threats effectively.

Why Reporting Cyber Incidents Matters

The ASD encourages businesses to report various types of cyber activity, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, malware infections, phishing attempts, denial-of-service attacks, unauthorised access, and other unusual or malicious cyber behaviours. Reporting these incidents not only helps the affected organisation but also contributes to a stronger national cybersecurity posture.

What Happens After Reporting an Incident

When an organisation reports a cyber incident, the ASD provides a range of support services to help mitigate the impact and prevent further damage. These services include:

  • Incident response advice and remediation strategies.
  • Sending tailored advisories to guide the organisation’s response.
  • Connecting the organisation with relevant government agencies for additional support.
  • Analysing the reported incident to determine whether further action is necessary.

If the incident requires a more in-depth response, the ASD may offer advanced services such as digital forensics, guidance on public communications, assistance with investigations, and collaboration on technical briefings for industry or government stakeholders. The organisation may also be connected to other ASD divisions for further support.

Information Sharing and Privacy Protections

The ASD reassures organisations that any information shared during the reporting process is safeguarded under the limited-use obligation, a provision established by Australia’s first Cyber Security Act. This ensures that any voluntarily shared data, such as incident details or vulnerability information, cannot be used for regulatory or enforcement purposes.

The ASD may request technical details to better understand the incident, including:

  • Malware samples or indicators of compromise.
  • Network traffic logs or packet captures.
  • System documentation or diagrams.
  • Disk images, memory dumps, or other system logs.

Organisations may also be asked about their existing incident response plans, their technical capabilities for investigating and mitigating threats, and their plans for containing or isolating compromised systems.

The Broader Impact of Reporting

While reporting incidents to the ASD is not a substitute for meeting mandatory reporting requirements, it offers significant benefits. The ASD aggregates and analyses the information it receives to build a comprehensive national cyber threat picture. This intelligence informs the development of updated security advice, tools, and techniques to combat evolving threats. Additionally, anonymised details from reported incidents may be used to create public guidance, enhancing cyber resilience across all sectors.

“One of ASD’s strengths is our ability to aggregate and analyse information to produce a national cyber threat picture,” the ASD explained. “By sharing information, organisations help us develop better strategies to prevent and respond to cyber threats, ultimately benefiting the nation as a whole.”

Why Businesses Should Report Cyber Incidents

By reporting cyber incidents to the ASD, businesses not only receive valuable support but also contribute to a safer digital environment for all Australians. This collaboration between organisations and the ASD ensures that the country is better equipped to face emerging cyber threats.

For more information, visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre website and learn how your organisation can benefit from reporting cyber incidents.