The Australian cyber landscape is ever-changing and constantly evolving. In light of this, the Federal Government has released a Discussion Paper on the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy for public consultation. The Strategy is expected to define the nation’s cyber policies for the next seven years. Commercial cybersecurity lawyers Sydney

Coinciding with the release of the Paper is the establishment of the National Office for Cyber Security, which will be led by the national coordinator for cyber security. The Office will be responsible for coordinating government-wide efforts in response to major cyber incidents, developing policies, and enhancing the security of government digital systems.

The Paper outlines the key policy areas that will be covered by the Strategy and seeks feedback on other relevant areas. The consultation process is set to involve input from industry, academia, government, and other key stakeholders. The Strategy’s approach emphasizes co-design, ensuring that all perspectives are taken into account.

The Strategy aims to achieve several objectives, including bolstering the economy, developing resilient critical infrastructure and government systems, improving national capabilities to counter cyber threats, positioning Australia as a trusted global cyber leader, collaborating with regional neighbours to enhance cyber resilience, and acknowledging the complex regulatory and legislative environment. Cybersecurity Lawyers Australia

The Paper acknowledges the multifaceted nature of cyber-related regulations in Australia, and thus the development of the Strategy will consider various aspects such as the results of the Attorney-General Department’s Review of the Privacy Act 1988, the National Plan to Combat Cybercrime, the ACCC’s Digital Platform Services Inquiry 2020-25, Commonwealth Digital ID policy development and reforms, Critical Technologies and National Quantum strategies, and investment through REDSPICE via Defence.

The core policy areas of the Strategy include harmonizing and enhancing regulatory frameworks, strengthening Australia’s international cyber security strategy, securing government systems, improving public-private mechanisms for sharing and blocking cyber threats, supporting Australia’s cyber security workforce and skills pipeline, creating national frameworks to respond to major cyber incidents, raising community awareness and providing victim support, investing in the cyber security ecosystem, and designing and sustaining security in new technologies.