WA boosting government security

The Western Australian government is establishing a new Office of Digital Government aimed at improving cybersecurity and digital capabilities across the public sector.

The new office will be set up as a discrete business unit within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

It will include a dedicated cybersecurity team tasked with supporting the development of a whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity. The team will also work with Edith Cowan University on projects to improve the security of the state's public sector.

The government has allocated more than $500,000 to establish this new team as part of the $7.4 million in funding for the new office.

According to the state's auditor general's 2017 Information Systems Audit, only seven of 46 public sector agencies evaluated met expectations for managing their computer environments effectively. The audit found no improvement in information security and business continuity in the last nine years.

"As the business of modern government becomes increasingly driven by technology and data, government must be prepared for the growing threat of cyber attacks. That is why the McGowan government is committed to developing and strengthening the resilience of public sector services and information from cyber attack,” WA Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly said.

"Creating this office within DPC ensures that digital capabilities are embedded within the McGowan government's public sector renewal program, and are better coordinated and implemented.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/4Max

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