NSW launches whole-of-government identity recovery service

Tony Chapman (Cyber Security NSW)

The NSW Government is to launch an identity recovery service for customers who have been hit by "cyber incidents".

Delivered through IDCARE, the State Government will now offer 500 NSW referrals to the service by all its agencies and departments, with the roll-out costing $65,000. 

Previously, only two state agencies had access to access to IDCARE and were able to refer customers who had become victims of identity crime. 

As reported by Computerworld, all agencies will be able to refer affected customers to “premium” support services through the not-for-profit organisation.

According to a spokesman from the recently launched Department of Customer Service, the decision to use IDCARE came from the  Cyber Security Steering Group (CSSG), which comprises representatives from NSW Government clusters.

 The CSSG determined the initial volume of 500 referrals, but will review and increase according to demand, the spokesman added.

“For customers of the NSW government this arrangement means a more direct connection between residents of NSW and the specialist support available via IDCARE,” NSW Government chief cyber security officer Tony Chapman said in a statement.

“As around one in three clients of IDCARE resides in NSW our arrangement is a very practical and meaningful way the NSW government can support customers impacted by scams, identity crimes and cyber crimes.”

The new arrangement is an Australian-first, according to the NSW government. The announcement follows the launch of NSW’s new cyber security hub in partnership with AustCyber this week.

Known as ‘nodes’, the Australia-wide hubs are funded by $50,000 from AustCyber, which is matched by at least the same amount by each state of territory. 

 The move also comes two months after the Government launched a purpose-built cyber security office under the leadership of Chapman, who was promoted to his current role from chief information security officer (GCISO).