The BGA Australia Team, led by Managing Director Fergus Hanson, wrote an update to clients on Australia’s release of new ICT and cybersecurity strategies from the Defense Department.

Context

  • Australia’s Assistant Defense Minister Matt Thistlethwaite on August 31 launched the Defense Department’s 2022 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy and Cyber Security Strategy. The release comes as Australia looks to enhance its defense capabilities by strengthening its partnerships with industry.
  • The Defense Strategic Review, which will be handed to the government in early 2023, will inform both strategies. The ICT Strategy will be supported by an action plan, which will provide more detail on the initial actions over the next 24 months.

Significance

  • The Defense Department will seek to build strong partnerships with industry and academia. These relationships are meant to address the national ICT skills shortage and support the development of sovereign capabilities through an integrated “One Defense” approach.
  • Australia no longer sees ICT as merely a corporate enabler; the sector is central to its warfighting capability as Australia navigates its most challenging strategic environment since World War II.

Implications

  • The two strategies present opportunities for companies because industry involvement will be critical to their success, with new investments meant to increase Australia’s cybersecurity competitiveness.
  • Business should watch for ICT stakeholders’ reactions to the strategies, as Australia has welcomed them to make submissions to the country’s ICT plan moving forward.

BGA will continue to keep you updated on developments in Australia as they occur. If you have any comments or questions, please contact BGA Australia Managing Director Fergus Hanson at fhanson@bowergroupasia.com.

A small ginko leaf

Managing Director

For the last decade, Fergus has been at the intersection of public policy and business across Australia, the United States and Europe, working with top business leaders, governments and within the United Nations multilateral system. Fergus led the founding team that spearheaded the campaign to secure an appropriation bill of $175 million from the U.S. Congress to tackle slavery across the world. Fergus also co-designed the public private partnership to create the $100 million Freedom Fund, a private philanthropic investment to tackle slavery hotspots around the globe. Fergus currently works with ASX listed companies through his leadership of the Australian ... Read More