Cybersecurity increased with extra funding for DTA

An additional $10.6 million has been provided by the federal government to improve cybersecurity practices.

Over four years, the funding will allow for a new advisory function to be established within the Digital Transformation Agency.

This will ensure that cybersecurity is central to new ICT projects and capabilities.

“The new cybersecurity advisory function will work with government agencies to ensure they appropriately manage the risks of cyber vulnerabilities on digital services,” said Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor.

“As part of the DTA’s recently expanded responsibilities, major government ICT and digital projects are being assessed to gauge how they’re progressing, how much they’re costing, whether or not they’re delivering the promised benefits and that potential risks are being properly managed.

“The new function brings an additional layer of oversight into this process and ensures cybersecurity remains front and centre for all government ICT and digital projects.”

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security Dan Tehan said the new function addressed important recommendations from the 2016 eCensus review.

“The government’s Cyber Security Strategy emphasises the need for strong, reliable and robust cybersecurity functions across all government agencies,” Tehan said.

“This new DTA advisory function will provide central governance and oversight for cybersecurity and significantly reduce risks and vulnerabilities for ICT and digital projects.

“The government will provide more cybersecurity support to small agencies that are more likely to have limited capability to develop or procure ICT services that were robust and cyber secure.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Jürgen Fälchle

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