![Data is at the heart of today’s government services. This is reflected in the federal government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy (the Strategy), which highlights its goal to use data, analytics, and technology to deliver simple, accessible services for people and businesses by 2030. As noted in the strategy, Australians expect personalised, integrated, and easy-to-use services from government entities they engage with. Such personalisation, especially across digital channels, is heavily dependent on data. Delivering such services becomes more effective when the data is more accurate and up-to-date. This is where real-time data comes into play. Why? Real-time data is more accurate because it is always up-to-date. This, in turn, improves the customer experience by enabling services to be more dynamic and interactive. However, because batch processing still accounts for the majority of data processing in government ranks, even the most recent data may become outdated when used to deliver government services. Engage with data in motion Batch processing is when the processing and analysis happen on a set of data that has already been stored for a period of time. This may be days, weeks, or even months, which just doesn't cut it for delivering dynamic and interactive citizen services. In recent years, data streaming has emerged as the technology that allows organizations to tap into their data in real-time in order to improve citizen engagement and experience. Event streaming, another name for data streaming, describes the continuous flow of data as it occurs. This enables true real-time processing and analysis for immediate insights. Streaming data distinguishes itself from batch processing by delivering the most up-to-date information when required. Apache Kafka, one of the most successful open source projects, is used by over 70% of Fortune 500 companies today and is well recognised as the de facto standard for data streaming. The open-source nature of Kafka lowered the entry barrier for working with streaming data, allowing companies to easily build use cases and solutions. However, as with all open-source software, there are limitations. Companies often end up spending more to efficiently manage, scale, secure, and evolve the streaming infrastructure. Why are we still using batch processing if data streaming is the future? Batch processing is still simpler to implement than stream processing, and successfully moving from batch to streaming requires a significant change to a team’s habits and processes, as well as a meaningful upfront investment. That is why Confluent has rearchitected Kafka to create a complete platform that provides a fully managed, cloud-native data streaming solution with the ability to turn data events into outcomes, enable real-time apps, and empower teams and systems to act on data instantly. Personalised for the people Confluent’s ability to utilise data as a continually updating stream of events rather than discrete snapshots means that public sector organisations can leverage data streaming to improve citizen engagement by offering personalised, data-driven services and insights. Confluent’s data streaming platform also enables real-time monitoring and analysis of government services and infrastructure, allowing public sector entities to quickly respond to critical events such as natural disasters or public health emergencies. At a more mundane level, Confluent supports data sharing and collaboration among government agencies, facilitating the seamless exchange of information to serve the public better and optimise resource allocation. And, importantly for government organisations, Confluent’s data streaming capabilities can enhance cyber security by detecting and mitigating threats in real time and safeguarding sensitive government data—a critical element in maintaining our national security. Indeed, 53% of Australian businesses surveyed in a recent Confluent study cited security and compliance awareness as the most applicable use cases for data streaming. It should come as little surprise, then, that industry analyst firm Forrester views Confluent as “an excellent fit for organisations that need to support a high-performance, scalable, multi-cloud data pipeline with extreme resilience.” Streamlining service improvement Data streaming is driving greater efficiency in more than three of four companies across Asia Pacific, according to Confluent research. Meanwhile, 65% of IT leaders polled see significant or emerging product and service benefits from data streaming. With this in mind, the potential for the government to do more with its data is clear, and personalisation is top of mind. Personalising citizen service experiences requires knowing who a customer is at any given moment. This is made possible by accessing data in motion, especially across multiple touchpoints. At the very least, this can help citizens avoid having to provide the same information over and over again as they interact with government agencies. And now, with Confluent assessed under the Australian Information Security Registered Assessors Programme (IRAP), government agencies with an Information Security Manual PROTECTED level requirement can use Confluent Cloud across Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Australian government agencies will then be able to gather and share data across departments, offices, and agencies securely and at scale. This means even more government agencies will be able to tap data in motion to integrate information across their applications and systems in real time and reinvent employee and citizen experiences for the better.](https://publicspectrum.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Confluent-Advertorial.png)
The 2024 Federal Budget highlights Australia’s commitment to enhancing data protection and cybersecurity. The government has set aside $500 million to strengthen national cybersecurity, which represents a 25% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. The government intends to enhance threat detection systems, establish a National Cyber Coordination Centre, and assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in strengthening their cybersecurity resilience with this substantial investment.
The 2024 Federal Budget is an important milestone in tackling cyber threats and safeguarding data protection for Australia. The government’s dedication to these initiatives underscores the significance of cybersecurity in cultivating a secure and prosperous digital economy.
The Australian government’s 2024 Federal Budget includes substantial funding to strengthen national cybersecurity and enhance data protection measures. The government has set aside a significant amount of $500 million to improve the country’s digital infrastructure and safeguard against the growing risks of cyber threats. This increase in allocation highlights the heightened focus on cybersecurity, up by a significant 25% from the previous fiscal year.
In addition to addressing cybersecurity concerns, the budget prioritises providing cost-of-living relief measures, such as a $300 reduction in energy bills for each household. The government has allocated $1.9 billion over a span of five years to enhance the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance. These measures aim to alleviate the financial burdens on Australians. The budget places a significant priority on future investments.
Industry leaders and cybersecurity experts have expressed their approval of the budget’s dedication to data protection. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has praised the increased funding, illustrating its significance in combating advanced cyber threats. The government’s strong focus on data protection measures is anticipated to enhance consumer trust in digital services, stimulate the growth of the digital economy, and encourage foreign investment in Australia’s technology sector.
The allocation of a substantial sum of $206 million aims to enhance the cybersecurity of regulators and registers. This investment aims to enhance the development of cutting-edge threat detection systems and reinforce response capabilities, ultimately fortifying the nation’s resilience against cyber threats. Furthermre, the government plans to create a national cyber coordination center. This centre strives to enhance collaboration between the public and private sectors in tackling cyber threats, guaranteeing a cohesive and efficient approach to potential cyber risks.
The budget includes a $288.1 million allocation over four years for the implementation of Australia’s digital ID system. In response to the increased concerns sparked by recent data breaches, this system aims to reduce the amount of personal information businesses hold. This initiative, in addition to the other cybersecurity enhancement programmes, indicates the government’s dedication to protecting its digital infrastructure and the data of its citizens.
The Australian Federal Budget for 2024–25 has set aside $288.1 million over the next four years to enhance and broaden the current Digital ID system. The focus of this investment is to enhance security, streamline processes, and enable Australians to fully reap the economic and privacy benefits of Digital ID. The Digital ID system’s expansion aims to bring widespread benefits to the economy.
The primary objective is to mitigate the potential for identity theft, improve privacy by restricting the amount of information disclosed, and streamline the process of verifying an individual’s identity, thereby saving businesses valuable time. The Digital ID system has been in use for some time now, boasting over 10.5 million myGovID accounts. These accounts offer users a secure and convenient way to access over 130 government services.
The Australian Federal Budget for 2024–25 has allocated $641.4 million to provide specific assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This commitment acknowledges the specific difficulties that SMEs encounter, such as the risks posed by cybersecurity threats. The budget allocation includes a $100 million investment aimed at strengthening cybersecurity resilience among SMEs. This support includes grants for cybersecurity upgrades, training programmes, and access to expert advisory services.
These measures were created to provide SMEs with the essential tools and knowledge to protect their digital assets and data. This investment in SMEs is part of a larger strategy aimed at promoting economic growth and fostering innovation. SMEs play a crucial role in this strategy, contributing over $500 billion to the economy and employing approximately 5.2 million people. In this way, the government is not only addressing current weaknesses but also laying the groundwork for a strong and reliable digital economy by providing assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Industry leaders and cybersecurity experts have commended the Australian Federal Budget 2024–25 for its positive impact. The budget’s commitment to data protection has garnered significant recognition. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has acknowledged the increased funding, highlighting its vital role in tackling sophisticated cyber threats.
Experts view this investment as a crucial step in bolstering Australia’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Businesses, particularly those in the technology industry, have shown interest in the budget’s ability to stimulate innovation and foster economic expansion. The improved cybersecurity infrastructure is anticipated to create a safe environment for businesses to foster innovation, thus making a positive impact on the economy.
Although the Australian Federal Budget 2024–25 has garnered mostly positive feedback, a few experts have expressed their reservations. Firstly, there are concerns regarding the timeline for implementation. Several experts have raised questions about the proposed timeline, suggesting that it may be overly ambitious. They worry that rushing the implementation process could result in ineffective outcomes.
Furthermore, concerns have emerged about the adequacy of the funds allocated. Some authorities argue that although the budget represents progress, it might not allocate enough funds for lasting cybersecurity enhancements. These concerns point out the significance of ongoing investment and well-rounded policy frameworks to guarantee the long-term viability of the proposed initiatives. Industry professionals stress the importance of continuous financial support and policy backing for sustained success, rather than relying solely on a single investment.
The Australian government’s focus on cybersecurity is expected to significantly influence the country’s digital economy. Implementing strong data protection measures is anticipated to enhance consumer confidence in digital services. The growing trust among consumers is expected to drive the growth of e-commerce and online transactions, leading to the expansion of the digital economy.
Australia’s cybersecurity infrastructure is expected to draw increased foreign investment into the technology sector. The surge in international investment will not only improve the digital economy but also cultivate innovation and generate employment opportunities within the tech sector. Ultimately, the government’s focus on cybersecurity will propel the expansion of Australia’s digital economy, yielding benefits for consumers, businesses, and the broader economy.
The government prioritises data protection to boost public confidence in digital platforms. The initiative focuses on protecting personal data and ensuring online services’ trustworthiness by implementing robust digital identities and strong cybersecurity frameworks. This strong trust is essential for encouraging the widespread use of digital technologies, which in turn leads to increased efficiency in various industries and boosts consumer trust in digital transactions and interactions.
In addition, building public confidence in digital systems is expected to result in substantial economic benefits. By reducing the potential dangers of cyber threats and data breaches, businesses can create a safer environment that promotes innovation and growth. This increased trust not only foster the growth of e-commerce but also supports wider digital transformation efforts that strengthen economic resilience and competitiveness in the global market.
Australia’s 2024 Federal Budget demonstrates the country’s strong dedication to enhancing data protection and cybersecurity. Australia has implemented substantial funding and specific programs to enhance national cybersecurity, assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and drive the growth of the digital economy. Ensuring data security is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time endeavour. Continual efforts and consistent investments are required to address the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats.
The government’s proactive approach in this matter is praiseworthy and establishes solid groundwork for ensuring data security in the long run. In the future, the consequences of this dedication will have wide-ranging effects. An environment that prioritises security will help build public trust, drive economic growth, and establish Australia as a frontrunner in digital innovation. However, the successful implementation of these initiatives, as well as the level of engagement from all stakeholders, will significantly determine their effectiveness.
Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.