Earlier this year, Australia unveiled its 2022-23 federal budget, which shows a strong commitment to cyber security. An investment of AU$9.9 billion ($6.8 billion) will be allocated and spent by the Australian Signals Authority (ASD) over the next 10 years through a new program called Resilience, Effects, Defence, Space, Intelligence, Cyber and Training (REDSPICE) . In 2020, Australia pledged AU$1.35 billion to security agencies in a program called Cyber Enhanced Situational Awareness and Response (CESAR).
“REDSPICE ensures that Australia keeps pace with the rapidly growing cyber capabilities of potential adversaries,” Defense Minister Peter Dutton said in a joint press release. “It provides new intelligence capabilities, new cyber defenses to protect our most critical systems and is a real power boost to ASD’s ability to strike back in cyberspace.”
The REDSPICE draft outlines a plan that can work
According to the REDSPICE Blueprint, the purpose of the initiative is to build on Australia’s strong cyber security foundation by expanding the scope and sophistication of intelligence and offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. The program’s strategic goals are to provide strategic advantage, lead cyber security, support military operations, counter cyber threats and provide trusted advice and expertise. Overall, the theme is capturing and maintaining the confidence of the Australian public in the government’s ability to protect itself from cyber security threats.
The draft describes the specific results that the program is working on:
Triple the immediate offensive cyber power Double the persistent cyber hunting activities Increase the use of advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud technology Quadruple your global footprint. Add 1,900 new analyst, technologist, corporate staff and enabler roles across Australia and the world. located 40% of staff outside of Canberra.
“This investment in ASD recognizes the deteriorating strategic circumstances in our region, characterized by rapid military expansion, growing coercive behavior and increased cyber attacks,” Dutton added in a press release. “It is recognized that the nature of conflict has changed, with cyber attacks now routinely preceding other forms of military intervention – as recently demonstrated by offensive cyber activity against Ukraine.”
Where does the funding go?
According to ZDNET, the investment will also fund the following cybersecurity-related projects:
Consumer data rights measures (AU$38.4 million) Fourth cyber hub within the Australian Taxation Office (AU$30.2 million) Shaping global critical and emerging technology standards (AU$18.6 million) Continued digitization of the transport sector (AU$13.6 ).
“The REDSPICE project is a critical investment in our digital sovereignty. There are growing cyber threats and we are acting to secure our nation,” Assistant Minister Hastie said in a press release. “This will create highly skilled jobs and equip the next generation of Australians to defend our critical infrastructure. The Morrison Government’s investment in ASD will enable our cyber operators to strike back at our adversaries and protect Australia and our interests online.”
Cybersecurity Writer
Jennifer Goforth Gregory is a freelance B2B technology content marketing author specializing in cybersecurity. Other areas of focus include B2B, finance, tech…
Continue reading
Comments are closed.