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The Cyber Security Industry Advisory Committee’s first annual report on the implementation of Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 has outlined 80 key points of focus that includes investment in counter cyber crime capability and the AFP.
The government adopted the overwhelming majority of the panel’s recommendations to develop the strategy to achieve a more secure online world for Australians, their businesses and the essential services upon which we all depend.
Corinne Best, trust and risk business leader at PwC Australia, said the release of the Cyber Security Industry Advisory Committee’s first annual report is a significant step in tackling the evolving cyber security requirements that are key to protecting Australia’s national security and underpins our future economic prosperity.
"The Australian government has recognised the need for greater protections to achieve a more secure online world for Australians, their businesses and the essential services upon which we all depend," Best said.
"The annual report from the committee demonstrates how industry and the Australian government continue to work together to protect all Australian’s from cyber security threats and to strengthen Australia’s cyber resilience."
Key initiatives under the strategy include establishing cyber security minimum standards for key critical infrastructure sectors and systems of national significance, enhanced cyber security capabilities for the Australian Signals Directorate (through the Cyber Enhanced Situational Awareness Response package), strengthening Australia’s counter cyber crime capability (including investing in the Australian Federal Police), growing Australia’s cyber security skills and workforce, as well as supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The committee also advised that focus on enhancing the cyber security of academic institutions, increased cyber security awareness and victim support for Australian families, households and small to medium enterprises, as well as hardening government agencies’ own cyber defences, were also in focus.
On 6 August 2020, the government released Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 and a $1.67 billion package to help protect Australians from cyber security threats. The Strategy succeeds and builds on Australia’s 2016 Cyber Security Strategy, which set out the government’s four-year plan to advance and protect our interests online and was supported by a $230 million investment.
[Related: ADF funds Australia and US university-led cyber security project]
Nastasha is a Journalist at Momentum Media, she reports extensively across veterans affairs, cyber security and geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific. She is a co-author of a book titled The Stories Women Journalists Tell, published by Penguin Random House. Previously, she was a Content Producer at Verizon Media, a Digital Producer for Yahoo! and Channel 7, a Digital Journalist at Sky News Australia, as well as a Website Manager and Digital Producer at SBS Australia. Nastasha started her career in media as a Video Producer and Digital News Presenter at News Corp Australia.