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Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP)

Critical infrastructure is defined to be "those physical facilities, supply chains, information technologies and communications networks which, if destroyed, degraded or rendered unavailable for an extended period, would significantly impact on the social or economic well-being of the nation, or affect Australia's ability to conduct national defence and ensure national security". Critical infrastructure may be vulnerable to physical and/or electronic attacks from sources including criminals, terrorists and hostile foreign powers.

The Australian Government has programs to protect critical infrastructure. In accordance with its security intelligence and protective security responsibilities, ASIO plays a key role through management of a database of Australia's critical infrastructure and production of assessments analysing threats to critical infrastructure.

ASIO works with other agencies such as the Defence Signals Directorate and the Australian Federal Police to investigate threats or incidents relating to National Information Infrastructure. Through several government fora we also contribute to development of protective security programs for critical infrastructure.

Further information on the Australian Government's protection of critical infrastructure is available from the Trusted Information Sharing Network coordinated by the Attorney General's Department.