Overview
The Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCIA), administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, is designed to safeguard critical infrastructure in Australia from national security risks. The Act mandates the creation and maintenance of a Register of Critical Infrastructure Assets, obligatory risk management programs for responsible entities, and notification of cyber security incidents. Key sectors covered include energy, telecommunications, data storage, financial services, and transportation. Enhanced powers are granted to ministers for issuing directives in response to serious incidents, ensuring heightened security standards for telecommunications assets, and mandating code exercises and vulnerability assessments. It also introduces robust penalty mechanisms for non-compliance and unauthorized disclosures.