Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite launched the 2022 Defence Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy and the Defence Cyber Security Strategy at a Defence ICT industry forum today.
Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said a key element of both strategies was the importance of enduring partnerships for Defence, in order to leverage the experience and expertise of industry, academia, allies and regional partners.
“Australia’s strategic environment has traditionally been shaped by geopolitical and socio-economic change,” Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said.
“Today that environment is being defined through rapid and exponential advances in technology.
“Defence’s capabilities are becoming more networked and reliant on cutting-edge information and communication technologies. In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and regional military modernisation, we must ensure Defence’s information and communications technologies are focused on enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s ability to fight and win in the digital age.”
The Defence ICT Strategy aims to ensure Defence is able to harness the power of data and leverage it for improved situational awareness and decision-making, and allow Defence to deliver lethal and non-lethal effects through a connected Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The Defence Cyber Security Strategy details how Defence will combat cyber threats and ensure its capabilities are secured against attacks from adversaries. This will require 'a concerted and coordinated effort' across the entire Defence ecosystem, from ADF and Australian Public Service personnel to Defence’s industry partners and supply chain.
“Protecting our national security and our national interests is a key priority for the Albanese Government, and Defence requires modern, agile and secure information and communications technology so the ADF can operate effectively in the modern battlespace.”
The event was attended by over 300 Defence ICT industry and academia organisations and encouraged a shared understanding of how industry and Defence can deliver Defence’s mission through ICT and cyber security capabilities.