Security is our mission. It’s part of our motto. And it’s at the core of our activities. But what do we actually mean when we talk about security, and why is it so important? 

To understand what security means when it comes to ASIO, start with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (ASIO Act). The ASIO Act is one of the many accountability measures that oversee ASIO’s work. The definition of security within the ASIO Act encompasses the protection of Australia and its people, both within Australia and overseas, against:

  • acts of foreign interference
  • attacks on Australia’s defence system
  • espionage
  • politically motivated violence including terrorism
  • promotion of communal violence
  • sabotage
  • serious threats to Australia’s border integrity.

This definition sets the remit for ASIO’s work. We only investigate and report on matters that fall under this definition. However, like any rule, there are a few exceptions. These exceptions are: collecting foreign intelligence within Australia on behalf of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD); communicating incidentally obtained intelligence under specific circumstances in accordance with section 18(3) of the ASIO Act 1979; and our responsibility to advise Ministers and authorities of the Commonwealth on matters relating to protective security.

We are Australia’s security service, and we know threats to Australia and Australians are not always bound by our borders. ASIO is mandated to operate wherever there is a threat to an Australian’s security. While much of our operational activity occurs within Australia, we also work overseas to protect Australians and Australia’s interests wherever they may be. We maintain relationships with a broad network of foreign liaison services, and they support our mission through crucial information sharing and cooperation. You could say we have some pretty good friends across the globe.

Security is a shared responsibility, and just like our international friends, the Australian public are also our partners in keeping Australia secure. We obtain thousands of intelligence leads each year from a variety of sources. Each lead is assessed to identify its relevance to security–this is where the ASIO Act definition comes into play. We will assess intelligence leads to determine if it is relevant to security according to the definition. If no relevance is found, ASIO will not investigate. However, ASIO does have some discretion to refer matters to other agencies such as reporting criminal offences to police. If the matter is found to be relevant, we will further investigate in line with the provisions of the ASIO Act and other oversight mechanisms. ASIO acts in a targeted, proportionate and ethical way.

ASIO’s specific legislative operating parameters are intended to ensure there is an appropriate balance between individual rights and the public’s collective right to be secure. Defining security is one of the ways we strike this balance. Another is ensuring the methods used are weighed up against the level of threat–but that’s another story.