Australia’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy : Industry Advisory Panel Report

Executive Summary

Technology now sits at the very heart of the lives of most Australians and increasingly shapes our economy, our society and our future. It is fast changing how we live, learn and work as well as creating incredible new opportunities, efficiencies and benefits – from remote working to digitised global supply chains, from tele-health to e-commerce.

The Federal Government is clear-eyed about the opportunities:

Our Government’s goal is for Australia to be a leading digital economy by 2030. Our degree of success will be critical to income growth and job creation over the next decade and beyond. Our extensive policy agenda encompasses digital access, connectivity, consumer data and competition policy, government service delivery and skills development, trade and global e-commerce governance, as well as the necessary focus on security and privacy concerns.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison
BCA annual dinner keynote
21 November 2019

The scope and timing of that ambition is well placed. As we enter the 2020s the world is on the exciting cusp of a fourth industrial revolution driven by connectivity and digital technologies.

Artificial intelligence, sensors, autonomous machines and systems, edge compute, augmented reality and 5G will combine to create incredible new products and services, infuse the physical world with digital, revolutionise business operations, elevate human work, and serve customers and citizens in many new ways.

All of this was true before the emergence of the COVID pandemic which has only further underlined the importance of the digital economy in Australia. In responding to COVID, mandatory social distancing and self-isolation means healthcare, education, work and commerce and even staying in touch with friends and family are largely being done online. Looking beyond this crisis, technology and our ability and willingness to embrace the digital world has now emerged as central to a rapid economic recovery.

With so much at stake, robust and effective cyber security has never been more important and the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy Industry Advisory Panel welcomed the opportunity to contribute to that outcome.