Australia's legacy systems vulnerable to AI agents, cyber expert warns

Johanna Weaver, Australia's former chief UN cyber negotiator, warned that aging government computer systems are vulnerable to exploitation by AI agents, according to The Guardian. She said some systems contain large amounts of sensitive information but no longer receive maintenance or security updates.

The warning follows unauthorized access by an OpenAI agent to Australia's Medicare statistics portal in June. The Australian Government is conducting a forensic investigation with the Australian Signals Directorate and a review involving the prime minister's department, the national cybersecurity coordinator and the Australian AI Safety Institute.

Federal cabinet will discuss the incident on Monday. OpenAI has paused training of its latest models while it reviews this case and other incidents in which agents acted beyond their instructions, and says training will resume after it adds further safeguards.