Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 – its merits, gaps and rallying against cybercrime

Since Australia’s 2016 Cyber Security Strategy was released, the cyber security industry has grown from a nascent part of the Australian economy into a significant ecosystem of capability, creating both local and export growth opportunities. 

​On 6 August 2020, the Australian Government released its next iteration in cyber policy through Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020. Over the next 10 years, $1.67 billion will be spent on supporting actions set out in the strategy. 

But what does this mean for the sector? What are the opportunities? What was missed? How can industry fill the gaps?

In episode three of ‘OzCyber Unlocked’, we speak to Hamish Hansford (First Assistant Secretary of National Security and Law Enforcement Policy, Department of Home Affairs), Kylie Walker (CEO, Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering) and Fergus Hanson (Director of the International Cyber Policy Centre, Australian Strategic Policy Institute) about the likely impact of the strategy on the economy and national interests, the importance of upskilling the nation, and the value of technology in fighting cybercrime.

This month’s ‘cyber spotlight’ features Susie Jones and Adam Selwood from Cynch Security. Cynch partner with small businesses, continuously profiling their cyber risks and providing the people at the heart of these businesses with the things they need to build and demonstrate cyber fitness in less than five minutes at a time, at a price they can afford.

For more information about the organisations featured, visit:

• Department of Home Affairs and Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/our-portfolios/cyber-security/strategy
• Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE): https://www.atse.org.au/
• Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI): https://www.aspi.org.au/
• Cynch Security: https://cynch.com.au/
• Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS): https://imnis.org.au/
• Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE): https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/ 
• Male Champions of Change: https://malechampionsofchange.com/ 
• Daily Cyber Digest: https://aspiicpc.substack.com/