NZ allocates $7.6m for new Cyber Security Strategy

The New Zealand Government has allocated NZ$8 million ($7.6 million) for the implementation of a new Cyber Security Strategy focused on increasing cooperation between government and the private sector.

The funding has been allocated over the next four years to implement a four-pronged strategy aimed at intensifying the government’s focus on cybersecurity.

Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Kris Faafoi said the strategy has been developed after extensive consultations with the cybersecurity community.

“The new strategy highlights four fundamentals for cybersecurity in New Zealand: partnerships are crucial; people are secure and human rights are respected online; economic growth is enhanced; and national security is protected.”

“The most important [of these values] in my view is ‘partnerships are crucial’, because neither government nor the private sector can do it alone. We have to work together to keep individuals, businesses, community organisations and the private sector [safe] to thrive online.”

The New Zealand Budget also includes $9.3 million in additional funding for CERT NZ to address growing demand for the agency’s services.

CERT NZ statistics show that incidents reported to the agency increased by 205% in 2018. Meanwhile the National Cyber Security Centre recorded 347 incidents affecting companies under its purview, which largely consists of organisations of national significance. Nearly four in 10 of these were believed to be linked to state-sponsored attackers.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/natali_mis

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