Feb 27 – The Australian government is planning an overhaul of its cyber security rules. Legislators intend to establish an agency that will manage government investments in cyber security and that will help coordinate national responses to cyber attacks.

AU’s new rules

This decision occurs in the wake of numerous large-scale data breaches that have shocked the country. Last year, more than eight major firms experienced devastating cyber incidents that led to compromised information, and an irate citizenry.

PM Anthony Albanese

Existing cyber security rules, government policies and regulations “are simply not at the level that we need them to be,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a meeting with industry leaders.

“This is really fast moving. It’s a rapidly evolving threat, and for too many years, Australia has been off the pace,” Albanese continued.

Ensuring collaboration

The government will create a new cyber security coordinator position. This person will be supported by a national office within the department of home affairs, and will be tasked with ensuring that government agencies collaborate as cyber attacks unfold.

Strategy implementation

The Australian government has released a discussion paper pertaining to its new cyber security strategy. The strategy will be implemented in 2024. Leaders are seeking feedback around how Australian businesses can improve cyber security in partnership with the government.

Public-private partnerships

According to the Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, current rules do not ensure smooth coordination between government and private sectors during cyber attacks.

“That law was bloody useless, like not worth being printed on the paper when it came to actually using it in a cyber incident,” O’Neil said in an ABC radio interview. “They’re not fit for purpose at the moment and I do think they need reform.”

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