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Vigorous efforts are underway to fortify cybersecurity throughout the New South Wales (NSW) Government, with a specific emphasis on professional development. One significant stride in this direction was the inaugural Cyber Security NSW Summit organised by Cyber Security NSW that sponsored the training of 20 personnel hailing from diverse governmental and local council sectors.
These individuals undertook the comprehensive Australian Cyber Security Centre Essential Eight Assessment Course, offered by TAFEcyber which provided a face-to-face professional development and networking opportunity for those working or interested in cyber security across NSW Government entities and NSW local councils.
In addition to this, Cyber Security NSW has unveiled its comprehensive Local Government Engagement Plan, which articulates a strategic framework for its engagement with local government entities. The plan outlines various engagement streams, the expectations from local government bodies, prioritisation strategies, and challenges that must be navigated. Alongside this, the agency has introduced an innovative “build-an-exercise” initiative.
This empowers NSW Government entities to independently craft and execute cyber incident response exercises, internally. The objective is to facilitate more seamless testing and refinement of response plans, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity preparedness.
The broader discussions at the summit encompassed a range of critical facets concerning the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Among these, the delicate equilibrium between fostering innovation and maintaining robust security measures emerged as a key theme.
In an increasingly connected world, securing supply chains against cyberattacks has gained paramount significance. Additionally, the importance of diversifying voices and perspectives in the development of comprehensive and effective cybersecurity strategies was underscored.
Speakers at the summit delved into a multitude of areas within the cybersecurity domain, including the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing security, the imperative of translating cybersecurity matters into the language of business to engage executives effectively, and the intricacies of managing cyber incidents in collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders. A prevailing sentiment throughout these discussions was that cybersecurity should no longer be relegated solely to the domain of IT teams but should be recognised as a holistic business risk.
The summit also provided valuable insights into the future of cybersecurity awareness and training, as well as the pivotal role of effective communication within organisations. It was emphasised that clear and efficient communication stands as the lifeline connecting cybersecurity strategies with their successful execution.
Furthermore, the summit served as a platform for the presentation of case studies illustrating how various organisations, including Shoalhaven City Council, Wollongong Council, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and the Joint Cyber Security Centre, approach the multifaceted realm of cybersecurity.
A notable and commendable aspect of the summit was gender diversity, with equal representation among the speakers. This underscores the value of diverse perspectives and experiences in the field of cybersecurity, as it is an arena that demands multifaceted insights and approaches to effectively combat the ever-evolving threats in the digital realm.
OpenGov Asia reported that The Australian Government released its response to the Privacy Act Review Report. The report, initially published in February 2023, prompted public consultations to shape the government’s response. The impetus for this review stemmed from recommendations arising from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s 2019 Digital Platforms Inquiry final report.
In their response to the review, the government has committed to advancing efforts aimed at bolstering privacy safeguards for individuals and ensuring that Australian businesses receive clear guidance on the scope of information covered by the Privacy Act and the most effective methods to safeguard such data. They also intend to maintain an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders during the development of draft legislation.
