Fed: National Centre for Security Standards launched in Sydney

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2003
Fed: National Centre for Security Standards launched in Sydney

By Vera Devai

SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - A new National Centre for Security Standards (NCSS) was launched
today in an attempt to coordinate the protection of Australia's critical information and
infrastructure.

The NCSS, officially launched by Standards Australia, will take advice from a panel
of experts, governments and private businesses before publishing security guidelines for
all industries.

Today's Sydney launch of the centre came in the wake of a number of high profile security
breaches across the nation, including a scare on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and growing
concerns about regional airport security.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and fined $350 earlier this month after climbing to
the top of the harbour icon and removing the Australian flag at its summit.

It was the second major breach of bridge security in a fortnight, and followed the
actions of daredevil Frenchman Alain Robert who scaled the bridge one day before the Rugby
World Cup final.

Meanwhile, tensions are mounting over regional airport safety, with operators saying
they cannot afford upgrades despite a $14 million boost from the federal government.

NCSS director Mark Bezzina said the new group, set up by the federal government, hoped
to determine the key issues affecting security in Australia before drafting the standards
next year.

Mr Bezzina said the centre would discuss landmark and building security, pre-employment
personnel security checks and airport safety upgrades.

"There is a real need to develop, communicate and assist the implementation of security
standards to help protect our critical infrastructure such as power grids, telecommunications,
water supply, hospitals, financial markets, icons and people," Mr Bezzina said today.

Mr Bezzina said the published standards would only be a guideline, and were unlikely
to be legislated.

"It's what we often refer to as grey level law," he said.

"It's saying what is best practice, and you would be a brave person to go against some
of the things which a highly regarded community got together and developed and sort of
went out there on a limb ... sometimes that's more powerful than legislation."

The NCSS will include representatives from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
(ASIO), the Attorney-General's Department, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and will
be chaired by intelligence expert and former ASIO director David Sadlier AO.

AAP ved/kbw/tma/jlw

KEYWORD: SECURITY

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