The Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms (TSSR), commenced on 18 September 2018.
The reforms are important to ensure the security and resilience of Australia’s telecommunications infrastructure, as well as the social and economic wellbeing of our nation.
Key elements
Security obligation
All carriers, carriage service providers and carriage service intermediaries are required to do their best to protect networks and facilities from unauthorised access and interference – including a requirement to maintain ‘competent supervision’ and ‘effective control’ over telecommunications networks and facilities owned or operated by them.
Notification requirement
Carriers and nominated carriage service providers are required to notify government of proposed changes to their networks and services that could compromise their ability to comply with the security obligation.
Information gathering power
The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs has the power to obtain information and documents from carriers, carriage service providers and carriage service intermediaries, to monitor and investigate their compliance with the security obligation.
Directions power
The Minister for Home Affairs has a new directions power, to direct a carrier, carriage service provider or carriage service intermediary to do, or not do, a specified thing that is reasonably necessary to protect networks and facilities from national security risks.
Resources
A range of TSSR guidance material developed for the telecommunications industry is available on the
Critical Infrastructure Centre website, including:
- administrative guidelines
- fact sheets explaining the security and notification obligations
- FAQs
- examples of types of changes to networks and systems that may trigger notifications
- sample notification and notification exemption forms.
Contact details
Critical Infrastructure Centre
3-5 National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
Phone: 02 5127 7387
Outside Australia: +61 2 5127 7387
cicentre@homeaffairs.gov.au
Related link
Media releases
Legislation
Related website
