South Korea Shows Improvement in Cyber Defenses Following Last Year's Series of Hacks; Ranks Third In Terms of "Cyber Maturity" As Compiled by Australian Strategic Policy Institute

South Korea has ranked as the third country with the best "cyber maturity". Following a series of online attacks over the past year, South Korea has done measures to improve their cyber defenses, and thus improving the country's ranking for this year.

Last year, the country was the subject of multiple online attacks. Many believe that the hacks might have come from North Korea, Japan Times writes Monday.

The government has made measures to further strengthen the country's cyber defenses. From fourth place in 2014, South Korea rose to third place in the cyber maturity rankings this year.

To further bolster their technological defenses, South Korea's National Intelligence Service and Defense Ministry is holding a "White Hat" competition this month where computer whizzes prevent attacks from hackers.

According to the Washington Post, the attacks simulated for the competition resemble those that hit South Korea in recent years. The organizers would then observe the teams as they try to defend their networks. Points are added or deducted depending on their skills and techniques.

The United States placed first on the list with a cyber maturity rating of 90.7. Japan landed second place with a rating of 85.1.

South Korea ranked third with an 82.8 rating, followed by Singapore in fourth with 81.8.

Australia closed the top five with a 79.9 score.

The list was compiled by the International Cyber Policy Center at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

"South Korea and Japan have a different threat environment to Australia's," said Tobias Feakin, director of the International Cyber Policy Center. "It has only taken them a year to write policies, implement them and smash down barriers in between departments."

The scores are based on government structures, military applications, financial cybercrime enforcement, tech economy and business and social participation.

Freakin added "'Maturity' is demonstrated by the presence, implementation and operation of cyber-related policies, legislation and organizations."