ACS welcomes bipartisan support of cyber engagement strategy
Sydney, October 5 2017:
The ACS – the professional association for Australia’s ICT sector – has warmly welcomed the release of Australia’s International Cyber Engagement Strategy by The Hon Julie Bishop MP in Sydney on Wednesday morning.
ACS President Anthony Wong welcomed the bipartisan support for the strategy, and highlighted the importance of international engagement.
“It is a testament to both sides of politics that the International Cyber Engagement Strategy released by the Government has been welcomed by the opposition. The acceptance of cyber engagement as a critical national issue by both sides of politics is a win for the Australian economy, and the Australian people.”
“In the ACS Cybersecurity report released in November 2016 we highlighted the increased risk of state and non-state sponsored cyberattacks and the threats they pose to critical infrastructure, systems and data.”
“Australia has seen a 57% increase in demand for cybersecurity jobs in the last year alone, and developing an engagement strategy which includes the public and private sector in our allies will help grow our local cybersecurity sector and help defend the economy from these emerging threats.”
“Our report identifies the average cost of a cyberattack to an Australian business to be $276,000, with a global cost of more than $US500Bn annually. Strong cyber engagement is an issue not just for Australia.”
“With Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Australia currently chairing the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) Steering Committee this is an apt time to be rolling out an engagement strategy. I congratulate the Foreign Minister, and Dr Tobias Feakin, our Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, on the release of the strategy and offer the expertise of the ACS and our membership to assist in the deployment of our cyber capability.”
On September 6 the ACS launched their new cybersecurity specialisation within their Certified Professional certification program. At the time Mr Wong highlighted the importance of cybersecurity.
“A key element of Cyber Security is trust. We trust business and government to protect our private and personal data. Establishing a professional certification where applicants must commit to a code of ethics, code of professional practice and undertake continuing professional development helps provide a level of certainty and trustworthiness.”
“By employing professionals with a CP (Cyber Security) certification, businesses and government are demonstrating to consumers that their Cyber Security professionals have undergone a rigorous assessment process, demonstrated a commitment to the highest principles, and are well placed to lift the cyber resilience of their organisation”
-ENDS-
Further information
Thomas Shanahan, Thomas.shanahan@acs.org.au, 0424 139 440
About the ACS
The ACS is the professional association for Australia's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. More than 22,000 ACS members work in business, education, government and the community. The ACS exists to create the environment and provide the opportunities for members and partners to succeed. The ACS strives for ICT professionals to be recognised as drivers of innovation in our society, relevant across all sectors, and to promote the formulation of effective policies on ICT and related matters. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.