Australian Government Releases Its Cyber Security Strategy.

 

14 August, 2016

 

On 21 April 2016, Australia’s federal government released its Cyber Security Strategy ("CSS").

 

The CSS is founded on the notion that strong cyber security is a fundamental aspect of the growth and prosperity of the global economy and is vital to Australia’s national security. Many of the measures outlined in the CSS envisage their realisation through partnership between Australian federal, State and Territory governments, the private sector, and the wider community.

 

The CSS, which will involve government investment of $230 million, establishes a number of key initiatives, including the following:

 

• the government will appoint Australia’s first Cyber Ambassador, publish an international cyber engagement strategy, and partner internationally to shut down safe havens for cyber attackers, with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region;
• the government will host an annual cyber security leaders’ meeting, where the Prime Minister and business leaders will set the strategic cyber security agenda and drive the implementation of the CSS;
• cyber threat information sharing will be facilitated through the implementation of a layered approach involving the Australian Cyber Security Centre, Joint Cyber Threat Centres, and an online cyber threat sharing portal;
• national voluntary Cyber Security Guidelines will be co-designed by government and the private sector to specify good practice, and the Strategies to Mitigate Targeted Cyber Intrusions publication will be updated by the Australian Signals Directorate;
• a Cyber Security Growth Centre ("CSGC") will be established by the government in collaboration with the private sector. The CSGC will coordinate a national cyber security innovation network that pioneers cutting edge cyber security research and innovation; and
• the government will address the shortage of cyber security professionals in the workforce, including by establishing centres of cyber security excellence in Australian universities.

 

To view a copy of the CSS, please click here.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Sue Gilchrist, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills

sue.gilchrist@hsf.com