The Australian federal government has unveiled its plans for the upcoming national cybersecurity strategy, set to be released by the end of 2023. The strategy will focus on educating citizens and businesses, investing in cyber skills, and collaborating with national and international partners.
During the AFR Cyber Summit, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil shared details about the strategy. O’Neil emphasized the importance of protecting businesses, organizations, and citizens from cyber threats. She stated that the strategy aims to create a cohesive and planned national response, leading to a more secure Australia.
The strategy will be built around six “cyber shields.” The first shield focuses on long-term education for citizens and businesses, ensuring they understand cyber threats and know how to protect themselves. Additionally, plans are in place to provide support to those who fall victim to cyber-attacks, helping them recover quickly.
The second shield aims to promote safer technology. The federal government plans to treat software as any other consumer product, ensuring that insecure products are not used. By 2030, the goal is to have clear global standards for digital safety in products, incorporating security from their inception.
Australia’s efforts align with an international collaboration involving Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. These countries are working together to develop a guide for software developers to ensure secure-by-design and secure-by-default products.
The third shield focuses on establishing a world-class threat sharing and blocking system. By 2030, the aim is to enable real-time exchange of threat intelligence between government and business, allowing for immediate action to block threats before they cause harm.
The Australian government’s commitment to cybersecurity reflects the growing importance of protecting digital infrastructure and ensuring the safety of citizens and businesses. With these plans in place, Australia is taking proactive steps towards a more secure future.