Australian Signals Directorate Alerts to AI-Enabled Cyber Threats, Urges Service Shutdowns

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) released its annual cyber threat report, warning that hostile foreign governments, criminal groups and hackers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to gather intelligence, disrupt critical infrastructure and steal money. The agency cautioned that the growing availability of AI tools enables attackers to find vulnerabilities and launch attacks more quickly, prompting a shift in priority from system availability to system security.

The Guardian

• ASD responded to 1,500 cybersecurity incidents in the 2025-26 reporting year, a 20 % increase from the previous year.

The Guardian

• The agency notified external entities of more than 4,400 potential malicious cyber incidents, an 80 % rise year-over-year.

The Guardian

• Persistent breach attempts from state-based actors were reported across government and private networks, with particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

The Guardian

Abigail Bradshaw, director general of ASD, emphasized that “legacy technology” – outdated systems no longer receiving updates – is a prime target for hackers and called for rapid modernization of technology and cybersecurity capabilities. Defence Minister Richard Marles echoed the report’s message, stating that Australians must enhance their cyber defences while leveraging AI’s benefits. Home Affairs and Cybersecurity Minister Tony Burke added that the government is positioning Australia to respond to evolving threats and opportunities presented by emerging technologies. Both ministers stressed that organisations may need to take services offline temporarily to secure systems, reflecting the agency’s stance that security now constitutes a core business risk and leadership responsibility.

The Guardian

• “To strengthen our cyber defences, we must harness the technologies that are reshaping the threat environment,” — Abigail Bradshaw

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• “In a threat environment transformed by AI, collective action is our strongest defence,” — Abigail Bradshaw

The Guardian

The ASD’s warnings signal that Australian businesses, critical-infrastructure operators and other network owners face elevated threat levels. The agency recommends integrating cutting-edge AI models into defence workflows to automate detection of weaknesses and suspicious behaviour. It also urges organisations to update legacy systems, seek assistance from ASD and report suspicious incidents promptly. By prioritising security over continuous availability, the report suggests that forced service outages may become a necessary precaution to protect the digital foundations on which daily life and the economy rely.

The Guardian