He added that it's not targeted "at any specific threat actor or impending malicious action," but it's likely a product of the Australian intelligence community's warnings that foreign entities are trying to access classified info about the country's military, economy and energy system. In fact, the government is expected to pass anti-foreign interference laws following reports of Chinese meddling, and they've been the cause of increasing friction between the two nations.

The task force's spokesperson said in a statement that the group "is a precautionary measure," which the country's government believes will need to become the norm "in the age of increasing levels of cyber-enabled interference and disruption." We'll know very, very just how effective the task force is and if other countries should take a leaf out Australia's book: the country is having five federal by-elections next month.