Australia warns: Be ready for websites and apps to go dark as cyber dangers grow

Australia's top cyber security agency is warning people across the country to expect some important websites and online services to shut down without much warning. The Australian Signals Directorate, known as the ASD, says criminals and foreign governments are using artificial intelligence to launch more attacks than ever. The agency released its yearly report on cyber threats on Tuesday and said keeping systems safe must come before keeping them online. That could mean apps, websites, or services you rely on may go offline so they can be made more secure.

The report showed that ASD handled 1,500 cyber security incidents in the past year. That number is 20 percent higher than the year before. The agency also warned more than 4,400 businesses, governments, and other groups about possible attacks — a jump of 80 percent in just one year. Officials say AI is expected to make these numbers grow even faster in the years ahead.

ASD director general Abigail Bradshaw said Australia needs to fight back using the same powerful technology that attackers are using. She said Australia must move faster to update its technology and cyber security systems. In her view, protecting digital systems that people use every day should be a top priority for the whole country. 'We need AI tools to help automate our defences to stay ahead of AI-enabled attackers,' she said.

Foreign governments are among the biggest threats named in the report. The ASD said government and private computer networks in Australia were facing constant attempts to break in by actors connected to other nations. The agency warned that some of these attackers, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, may be testing systems now to prepare for possible conflicts in the future. This kind of early spying or disruption could be used to gather information or cause problems if tensions ever rise.

AI is making things harder for defenders in several ways. Cybercriminals and foreign state actors can now find weak spots in computer systems faster than before, thanks to AI tools. The ASD said every organisation that runs a network is now facing higher risks. Cyber security is no longer just a job for tech experts — it has become a key responsibility for business and government leaders too.

Bradshaw has also spoken about ASD using a powerful AI model called Mythos, made by a company called Anthropic. This tool is so advanced that its creators said they could not release it to the public because it can find unknown weaknesses in computer systems. Australia's government believes that having access to these cutting-edge AI models and working closely with AI companies is key to staying safe online.

Outdated technology is another major concern raised in the report. The ASD called these older systems 'legacy technology' — things like old software or devices that no longer receive updates from their makers. Hackers look for these weak, unprotected systems as easy targets. The agency urged all organisations to update their systems, ask ASD for help when needed, and report anything suspicious right away.

Defence Minister Richard Marles and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke both said the government is working hard to keep Australia ahead of these growing dangers. Marles said Australians must build stronger cyber defences while also making the most of what AI can offer. Burke added that the government is getting Australia ready to handle the threats and opportunities that come with new technology. Bradshaw summed it up simply: 'In a threat environment transformed by AI, collective action is our strongest defence.'