The Australian government has earmarked $19.7 million for support services over the next four years to tackle the rising concern of stolen or breached Commonwealth credentials. This significant allocation underscores the urgency of addressing the escalating issue, as evidenced by the staggering number of incidents reported. In the previous financial year, government agencies referred approximately 25,000 Australians to an identity support service, highlighting the pervasive nature of credential theft or breach. This funding aims to bolster efforts to safeguard individuals’ identities and mitigate the risks associated with unauthorized access to personal information.
The federal government has recently revealed concerning statistics regarding the utilization of an identity theft support service due to compromised Commonwealth credentials. According to the data provided, there has been a significant surge in the number of individuals seeking assistance from this service, with an average annual growth rate of 26 percent observed since the financial year 2020-2021. This alarming trend highlights the increasing prevalence of identity theft incidents involving Commonwealth credentials, posing serious risks to individuals’ personal information and potentially leading to various forms of fraud and misuse.
In response to this growing threat, the government has recognized the urgent need to enhance support services and bolster cybersecurity measures to safeguard individuals’ identities and prevent unauthorized access to government credentials. As part of these efforts, the government has allocated $19.7 million for support services over the next four years, reflecting its commitment to addressing the challenges posed by identity theft and strengthening protection mechanisms for Australian citizens.
IDCARE currently offers internet and phone-based services to assist individuals facing identity theft or misuse cases related to a Commonwealth credential or referred by a Commonwealth agency, as confirmed by iTnews.As part of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, the government has allocated nearly $20 million to enhance and sustain services for victims of identity theft and misuse over the next four years. This investment underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the growing challenges posed by identity theft and ensuring that affected individuals receive the necessary support and assistance to mitigate the impact of such incidents on their lives.
Administered by the Attorney-General’s Department, the funding initiative seeks to bolster existing services by broadening access to personalized support and guidance for individuals affected by identity compromise. This expansion aims to ensure that more Australians who have experienced identity theft or misuse of Commonwealth credentials can access the necessary resources to navigate the recovery process effectively. By investing in these services, the government underscores its commitment to providing comprehensive assistance to victims of identity theft, addressing the increasing incidence of such crimes, and safeguarding the integrity of Commonwealth credentials.
The service provider will be responsible for administering comprehensive case management services, which will involve handling various aspects of identity theft and misuse cases related to Commonwealth credentials. This includes facilitating device remediation processes such as resetting and wiping devices to secure sensitive information. They will also be tasked with monitoring and providing alerts and intelligence services across both the clearweb and darkweb, enabling timely detection of potential threats and breaches.
Furthermore, the service provider will offer extensive training programs designed to educate frontline staff in Commonwealth agencies on how to effectively handle and respond to victims of identity crime. These training sessions will aim to equip staff with the necessary knowledge, skills, and protocols to provide tailored support and guidance to individuals affected by identity theft or misuse of their Commonwealth credentials.Overall, the funding allocated aims to enhance and expand existing support services for victims of identity theft and misuse, ensuring that individuals have access to comprehensive assistance to recover from such incidents. Through proactive case management, device remediation, alerting and intelligence, and specialized training for frontline staff, the goal is to improve the overall response to identity-related crimes and provide better support to affected individuals.