National Security Science and Technology Priorities

National Security Science and Technology Priorities – We live in an environment of great technological change. The scope of science and technology is broadening and the speed of change is unprecedented. This has a particular impact on Australia’s national security capability and as such, presents us with both challenge and great opportunity. The manner in which Australia responds to this paradigm shift has potential to shape our sovereign standing.

Given the commitment and capacity of adversaries to engineer smarter, more agile and increasingly innovative technologies to threaten our national security, and the growing challenges arising from our natural environment that test the resilience of our society and national systems, Australia needs to remain at the forefront of science and technology in order to remain agile and anticipative of new and emerging threats. The time available to detect and react to technological developments is decreasing, and in doing so creating the potential to diminish our institutional responsiveness.

The National Security Science and Technology Priorities seek to drive a strategic advantage by clearly articulating the national security community science and technology challenges, therefore assisting to shape and influence programs of work across both the national security agencies and the broader science and technology ecosystem. In addition, they provide the science and industry community with visibility of the endorsed national security science and technology areas we seek alignment, partnership and activity.

The updated set of priorities have been developed by the National Security Science and Technology Centre with broad input, close engagement and agreement across the national security community, and will be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain current. The collaborative manner in which the community has developed a collective view of its science and technology challenges is notable and a symbol of strong alignment moving forward. These priorities provide a thorough update to the priorities which were released in May 2018, with greater consideration given to national and social resilience, and seek to encourage innovative thinking on how best to address Australia’s national security challenges.

The National Security Science and Technology Centre within Defence Science and Technology coordinates whole-of-Government science and technology for national security. It strives to partner widely across the community in order to improve impact, encourage alignment and reduce duplication.