There has been an increase in digital uptake in the year since the Digital Economy Strategy was first launched. And while this increase has allowed organisations to operate and grow and keep Australians connected, it also increased concerns with regards to cybersecurity.
Cyber attacks have not only grown in the last few years, but have also targeted all kinds of sectors. In March 2021, Eastern Health fell victim to a cyberattack that left four Melbourne-based hospitals to postpone their elective surgeries. In that same period, the Western Australian Parliament was also targeted by a global cyberattack frenzy.
As the country continues to push for a digital-driven society by 2030, concerns regarding cybersecurity must be first addressed on the federal level. The Australian Government has released an update on their cybersecurity plans in the Digital Economy Strategy 2022 Update.
In the update, the federal government invested $1.67 billion in improving cybersecurity capabilities under the Cyber Security Strategy 2020. Under this investment is the inclusion of a $1.3 billion Cyber Enhanced Situational Awareness and Response (CESAR) package.
CESAR will ensure that the Australian Signals Directorate can identify more cyber threats, disrupt more foreign cyber criminals, build more partnerships with industry and government, and protect more Australians.
The Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Act 2021, which came into effect on 2 April 2022, will also help in uplifting the country’s security and resilience by introducing new obligations for responsible entities to create and maintain a critical infrastructure risk management program.
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It also provides a new framework for enhanced cyber security obligations required for operators of systems of national significance. These will help in making risk management, preparedness, prevention and resilience easier for owners and operators of critical infrastructure assets.
The Cyber Security Best Practice Regulation Taskforce is also exploring pathways that will enable a more secure use of internet-connected devices, assist businesses to adopt best practice governance and technical standards, and develop tailored support for small businesses.
This reflects the collaborative approach that the federal government is taking to uplift the country’s cyber security posture under its Cyber Security Strategy.
Actions are also being taken to further protect the community and economy from ransomware attacks. The federal government has established new criminal offences, tougher penalties, expanded law enforcement powers and a mandatory reporting regime as part of its Ransomware Action Plan.
They have also released the National Plan to Combat Cybercrime, setting a framework for enhanced collaboration between the federal government and its state and territory partners to combat evolving cybercrime threats.
The National Cybercrime Capability Fund was also established this year to support an uplift in national law enforcement capabilities and responses to cybercrime. Projects identified for funding in the first year of the Cybercrime Capability Fund include specialist training activities and enhanced victim support.
Following these, the federal government has also extended and expanded the Cyber Hubs Pilot to increase the protection of the government services and data. The Australian Taxation Office is said to join the Department of Defence, Department of Home Affairs and Services Australia in the pilot as a Cyber Hub.
These measures are some of the methods the federal government have and will implement to further protect Australia’s growing digital-driven society. It is expected that there will be more improvements under the Cyber Security Strategy as the country continues to track towards achieving its 2030 vision.