Huawei encouraged by Australian cyber defense strategy

SYDNEY - Global tech-giant Huawei Australia has welcomed the announcement of an Australian Cyber Security Center, at the heart of Prime Minister Julia Gillard's landmark national Security Strategy unveiled in Canberra, Wednesday.

In supporting Gillard's announcement, Chairman of Huawei Australia, retired Rear Admiral John Lord AM has emphasized the key role that industry needs to play as "part of the solution" to cyber threats.

Gillard said the center, due to come online before the end of the year, would unite resources from Defense, the Attorney-General 's Department, the Crime Commission, Australia's intelligence community and the Federal Police.

"It will provide Australia with an expanded and more agile response capability to deal with all cyber issues - be they related to government or industry, crime or security.. and create a hub for greater collaboration with the private sector, state and territory governments and international partners to combat the full breadth of cyber threats," Gillard said.

Lord said that no single government, agency, or company had all the answers.

"Huawei welcomes the government's aspiration to become a global leader in this area. Collaboration is the key to success, and major global technology companies like Huawei must be part of the solution to cyber threats," Lord said.

Embroiled in controversy after the Gillard government effectively barred the Chinese tech-giant from bidding for lucrative contracts for the National Broadband Network now being unrolled across the country, Huawei has continued to maintain strong and positive relations with both public and private sectors.

Lord said Huawei's ongoing cooperation with the Australian government has already established a track record of supporting and contributing to cyber security and industry knowledge in Australia and around the world.

"As one of the world's largest ICT companies, Huawei is encouraged by the government's vision to bolster Australia's cyber security defenses. Huawei stands ready and willing to work with industry and government to make this vision a reality.

"Globally, Huawei is already working in partnership with governments and security agencies in this critical area," he said.