In a significant development, the Australian Federal Government, led by the minister for Government Services, Bill Shorten, announced plans to overhaul the myGov authentication process.
Beginning next year, the system will potentially incorporate password-less methods such as passkeys and facial recognition.
This move aims to modernise myGov accounts and fortify them against scams.
Vital defenses
Shorten highlighted that these new login options are not only familiar to many Australians but also serve as vital defences against phishing tactics commonly used by scammers to illegally access accounts.
The minister revealed the alarming fact that myGov scams have already led to losses amounting to A$3.1 billion, with more than 4,500 successful scams reported this year alone.
In response, the government has suspended thousands of myGov accounts as a preventive measure.
Proposed upgrade
The proposed upgrade will leverage the security features of smartphones, including facial recognition technology, to access government services. This method is expected to significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to phishing schemes.
Additionally, the government is working on a digital ID to consolidate verification processes and address security weaknesses associated with password use.
It is reported that people reuse passwords for multiple accounts, heightening the risk of cyber attacks.
New advisory group
Shorten also announced the formation of a new advisory group, headed by Victor Dominello, former NSW minister for customer service and digital government.
This group will advise on customer-centered improvements for myGov, aiming to enhance its security and efficiency.
The government's commitment to revolutioniz]sing myGov with advanced security features and the establishment of the advisory group marks a concerted effort to safeguard personal information and improve digital service delivery in Australia.