Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) has revealed that internationally recognized terrorist organizations such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda have managed to re-emerge stronger than it has been for more than a decade. The security organization of Australia fears that the reemergence will see more cyber attacks on private and public entities operating in their region.
The domestic spy agency warned that ISIS members were establishing themselves in South East Asia and were trying to make their presence felt by gaining utmost support in Australia as well.
In its annual report, ASIO mentioned that some high tech terrorists who were convicted in South East Asia have somehow escaped the clutches of law enforcement and are now on loose.
The watchdog suspects that these high tech professional cyber crooks can create a ruckus in cyberspace targeting highly developed nations like the UK, US, and Australia.
ASIO security Chief Duncan Lewis said that Australia was facing a steadily worsening security cyber threat from terrorists’ organizations such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Duncan added that Australia was also facing espionage and interference related threats from foreign governments.
While the harm from foreign governments is immediately evident in most cases, the menace from the terrorist organizations may take years to eventuate. As such threats may appear harmless now but might show significant future consequences.
A recent Australia Federal Police Intelligence report even pointed to members of ISIS and the Chinese Red Army seeking to threaten, extort, control and influence a certain section of the religious community in Sydney, Melbourne, and Tasmania.
The spy group also revealed that some malicious insiders working for government organizations were willing to help foreign spooks and might anytime turn toxic to the entire nation with regards to national security.
As investigations on these issues are highly complex, resource-intensive and highly sensitive, a lot of time will be taken to validate them to the core.
Therefore, ASIO feels that it’s important for all Australians to understand the threat and play safe and act wisely in situations which could disturb national integrity.
