The Government will expand the AFP’s contribution to Operation Aquila, the AFP- and ASD-led joint standing operation aimed at investigating and disrupting criminal syndicates. Through Operation Aquila, the AFP and ASD use offensive cyber capability as a criminal investigation tool towards prosecution or disruption. Operation Aquila focuses on the highest-priority cybercrime threats impacting Australia, both nationally and internationally. New funding for Operation Aquila will enhance the AFP’s offensive cyber capability to investigate and disrupt cybercrime activity. The Government is also continuing to deliver ASD’s Project REDSPICE to build world-class, innovative offensive cyber capabilities that can deliver real world impact to deter, disrupt, degrade and deny cybercrime. Project REDSPICE will triple Australia’s offensive cyber capabilities and put malicious threat actors on notice. While details of specific offensive cyber capabilities and operations remain classified, we are committed to transparency about the rights and obligations that govern their use. 2. Shape international legal frameworks and cooperation on cybercrime Cybercrime is a global threat that requires global solutions. Deepening international collaboration is essential to combat the transnational threat of cybercrime. The Government will continue to drive global cooperation to effectively prevent, deter and respond to cybercrime. We will continue to work with our international partners to crack down on cyber criminals, including close collaboration with the Five Eyes and international law enforcement partners via our existing network of AFP liaison officers. We will continue to advocate for global legal frameworks that effectively combat cybercrime in addition to frameworks that protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. This includes supporting global efforts to adopt and implement the Council of Europe Budapest Convention on cybercrime. In collaboration with our global partners, we will seek to hold criminal groups accountable for their actions. We will also seek to hold states accountable for malicious cyber activity perpetrated by actors given safe haven in their territories. We will impose a cost on those responsible for cyber incidents, including making public attributions and imposing sanctions when we have sufficient evidence and it is in our national interests to do so. We will also build regional capabilities to fight cybercrime in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, through forums such as the Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network and ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime. To protect our shared interests, Government will continue to support more countries within our region to shape the development of new and emerging international legal frameworks on cybercrime. 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy 21

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