Australia's cyber security: A unique opportunity

Australia’s national Cyber Security Strategy (“the Strategy”) was released in April 2016 by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government. The Strategy covers five key areas: a national cyber partnership; strong cyber defenses; global responsibility and influence; growth and innovation; and a cyber smart nation. In terms of regional governance, Australia holds the “leading role in the region’s largest cyber security community with the Australian Cyber Security Centre re-elected as Chair of the Asia-Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) Steering Committee in Shanghai on 23 October 2018”. Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy prides itself on having been written following extensive private sector consultation (also including academia), and has, as its first goal, to achieve an increasing degree of synergy and partnerships between government decision-makers and industry. In conclusion, Australia is making progress in terms of cyber security policy and legislation, as well as in its international involvement.