2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy: Resilient Region and Global Leadership

The Australian Government is establishing a cyber security assistance team to respond to cyber crises in the Pacific, and is investing in our region's cyber resilience as part of our 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy.

Led by the Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O'Neil, the 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy sets the agenda for Australia's cyber security policy to 2030. Shield Six of the Strategy – Resilient Region and Global Leadership – sets out our international ambitions.

Today we announce that the Albanese Labor Government is committing:

• $26.2 million to establish Pacific 'Cyber Rapid Assistance for Pacific Incidents and Disasters (RAPID)' teams led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with representatives from a range of government agencies and the private sector. These teams will help respond to cyber crises as they happen in the Pacific, when Pacific governments request assistance;
• $16.7 million to build long term resilience in the Pacific by working with partners to proactively identify vulnerabilities – such as end-of-life hardware and software – and trial secure by design solutions that reduce cyber incidents;
• $4.5 million to work with partners in Southeast Asia to hone responses to cyber incidents, support practical recommendations for uplift and better position regional governments to prevent cyber incidents.

The Strategy provides a framework for Australia's global advocacy work, led by our Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology Brendan Dowling. Australia will continue to join with international partners to uphold international law and norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, and impose costs on bad actors that make cyberspace less safe and secure. We will advocate for technologies that are safe and secure by design.

The Strategy also outlines how we'll uphold a multistakeholder approach to governing the internet, ensuring it is kept open, free and secure, and continues to underwrite our stability, prosperity, independence and sovereignty.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

"We have listened to the priorities and requests from our partners in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

"The Cyber RAPID teams and support to build long term resilience in the Pacific will provide critical support, and demonstrate that partners in our region can rely on Australia to respond to their needs."

Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP:

"Building resilience to cyber threats is an urgent, global priority – both at home and in our region.

"Over the last 18 months we've seen a series of significant cyber incidents across Australia and the region that have had major impacts on governments, economies and communities.

"We are working in tandem with the region to build capacity and long term resilience to cyber security threats."