Prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has just released Australia’s cybersecurity strategy, aimed at enabling innovation, growth and prosperity.
Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, launched the cybersecurity strategy at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney, where he set out the government’s philosophy and program for meeting the dual challenges of the digital age – advancing and protecting our interests online.
“The Internet is transforming how we socialise and do business in ways its founders could not have imagined. It is changing how we are entertained and informed, affecting almost every aspect of our lives.
“The need for an open, free and secure Internet therefore goes far beyond economics. It is important for ensuring public and financial accountability and strengthening democratic institutions. It underpins freedom of expression and reinforces safe and vibrant communities,” he said.
Turnbull said if we are to fully realise the social, economic and strategic benefits of being online, we must ensure the Internet continues to be governed by those who use it—not dominated by governments.
As such, in line with the Australian Government’s broader National Innovation and Science Agenda, it has established a strategy with five themes of action for Australia’s cyber security over the next four years to 2020.
This includes:
- A national cyber partnership where governments, businesses, and the research community works together to advance Australia’ss cybersecurity landscape.
- Improving cyber defences with an open, jointly operated cyber threat sharing centres and an online cyber threat sharing portal.
- Improving global responsibility and influence through international partnerships to shut down sace havens and prevent cybercrime and other malicious cyber activity.
- Supporting new businesses and promoting the export of Australian cyber security products and services.
- Addressing the cybersecurity skilled shortage to develop a highly-skilled cybersecurity workforce
The government will also invest more than $230 million over four years to enhance Australia’s cybersecurity capability and deliver new initiatives.
“Australia and its allies will work together internationally to promote norms of behaviour that are consistent with a free, open and secure Internet. As businesses and governments we must better educate and empower our employees to use sound practices online.
“The strategy complements the key elements of my government’s economic plan – helping the transition to a new and more diverse economy which is fueled by innovation, the opening of new markets and more investment in Australian enterprise,” Turnbull said.
As part of the cybersecurity agenda, the government will designate a minister assisting the Prime Minister on cyber security and appoint a special adviser on cybersecurity within the department.
The minister for foreign affairs will also appoint Australia’s first cyber ambassador and the department of defence will continue to lead the co-location of the government’s operational cyber security capabilities in the Australian cybersecurity centre.
“This new structure will ensure cybersecurity is given the attention it demands in an age where cyber opportunities and threats must be considered together and must be addressed proactively, not simply as a reaction to the inevitability of future cyber events.
“This strategy will develop partnerships between the Australian public and private sectors, support home-grown cyber security capabilities and promote international cyber co-operation. We will change and adapt when needed to stay competitive and influential in the constantly changing technology landscape,” he said.
