Can Australia really become a world leader in cybersecurity?
The federal government unveiled its 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy, committing $586 million in fresh funding to the nation's cyber defences.
Observe countries with the best cybersecurity and you'll see they've become robust in response to an antagonist. Estonia built its capabilities due to Russian aggression, Saudi Arabia to Iran, South Korea to North Korea and the United States to basically everywhere.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil is aiming to get us there, on Wednesday unveiling the government's 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy. She walked back her ambitions stated last year to make Australia the most cyber secure, but said Australia can be among the world's elite.
"There are things that are going to influence this problem that the Australian government and Australians don't control," she said at a press conference on Wednesday. "We want to set a goal that's achievable and being a world leader is absolutely achievable here."
That would be an improvement on 12th place, where Australia is currently ranked according to the International Telecommunications Union. The government's expansive review adds $586 million in funding to national cybersecurity. A bunch of that ($143 million) goes toward shoring up critical infrastructure, and a bunch more ($290 million) to helping small and medium businesses protect themselves. Just under $130 million will be spent to help our Pacific neighbours fortify their own cyber defences.
