Australia: ASD reminds Geo-Blocking isn’t a Silver Bullet for Cybersecurity
The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has released new advice on using geo-blocking for cybersecurity, pointing out both its potential benefits and its limits. The guidance, titled “Geo-blocking in context: Realities, risks and recommendations,” encourages businesses to think carefully before relying too heavily on it, which was released on 19 May 2025.
So, what is geo-blocking?
Geo-blocking is when access to websites or online services is restricted based on where someone’s IP address says they’re located. It’s often used to keep out unwanted traffic from countries or regions that have no connection to a business.
The idea is that by blocking traffic from places you don’t do business with, you can reduce the risk of cyberattacks. But the ASD is clear: geo-blocking should not be your only line of defence.
Why not?
Because IP addresses can be deceiving. Attackers can hide behind VPNs, spoofed addresses, or shared networks—making it hard to know where they’re really coming from. In other words, blocking one country doesn’t mean the threat won’t still get through.
What’s the upside?
The ASD says geo-blocking can help in some cases. It might:
Cut down on unnecessary traffic from unrelated regions
Add an extra filter to your security setup
Lower the risk of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks coming from outside Australia
But here’s what to watch out for:
You might accidentally block legitimate users, like traveling customers or overseas staff
Hackers can still get around it using local systems or proxy servers
It may give you a false sense of security if it’s your only defence
What does the ASD recommend?
Instead of relying solely on geo-blocking, organizations should take a layered, risk-based approach. That means:
Thinking through how geo-blocking could affect your users
Using IP reputation and location tools alongside other indicators
Watching for suspicious behaviour with tools like anomaly detection
Using cloud-based protection against large-scale attacks
Keeping systems updated and replacing outdated tech
In short, geo-blocking can help, but only if it’s part of a bigger, smarter cybersecurity plan.
You can read the full guidance from the ASD - here