1 Dec 2021

GCSB offers new cyber defence service to private security providers

12:39 pm on 1 December 2021

The government spy agency that intercepts communications is offering cyber defence help to businesses.

Woman working with global networks and data protection

Photo: 123RF

The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) says the new service will help private cybersecurity providers protect clients' networks.

In a trial, its Malware Free Networks platform disrupted more than 10,000 threats, the GCSB said today.

The platform alerts providers to malicious online activity.

The GCSB has used it since last September to pick up 40,000 indicators.

The trial had allowed it to iron out some bugs, and now the platform could very quickly provide "actionable threat intelligence which partners can deploy", said bureau Director-General Andrew Hampton in a statement.

It already has agreements to use the platform with nine providers, including Datacom, InPhySec, Kordia, SSS IT Security Specialists, Spark and Vodafone.

The work of the National Cyber Security Centre saved organisations almost $120m last financial year, the GCSB said.

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