Australia’s Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms (TSSR), made through amendments to Part 14 of the Telecommunications Act 1997, commence today.
Key points
- Carriers and carriage service providers must do their best to protect networks and facilities from unauthorised access and interference.
- Carriers must notify government of proposed changes, such as outsourcing or offshoring, that could affect security.
- Government can obtain information and issue directions to address national security risks.
- The regime is now administered by the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre.
UK suppliers of network equipment and managed services to Australian telecoms operators should expect security scrutiny of their products, personnel and offshore arrangements, similar to the UK Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021.
Source: Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (Federal Register of Legislation)
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