Cyber Policy Office seeks private sector, NGO input

The National Cyber Policy Office is seeking input to its refresh of the national cyber security strategy, following a series of workshops on the possible vision, principles, and goals for the new strategy.

The office says it will use the key concepts from the workshops, meetings, and research to prepare the framework for a draft strategy and action plan.

“We will be engaging with Connect Smart partners and broader elements of the community to seek feedback on this framework and to develop possible initiatives throughout July and early August," the office says.

"If you would like to help us prioritise the key concepts from the workshops; or would like to share more ideas with us: then please take 5-10 minutes to record your views through the Cyber Security Strategy feedback form on the Connect Smart website. Your insights will help us to understand what’s important for a refreshed New Zealand Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan,” it added.

Connect Smart is a partnership between Government, the private and NGO sectors to raise awareness of cyber security issues and promote ways businesses and individuals can protect themselves online.

The current Cyber Security Strategy, Action Plan, and a National Plan to Address Cybercrime, were released in December 2015.

The details of the refresh were released by the minister of broadcasting, communications and digital media, Clare Curran, in April. She said she would like to explore innovative models to achieve strong cyber security collaboration between the government and the private sector and non-government organisations.

“A structured approach to ensuring private sector engagement with the government's work (and vice versa) might be one option for consideration,” she said.

“This could include considering models such as advisory boards or a cyber security council. It may help us to get the right level of engagement with the private sector on cyber security - a challenge which our international partners also face.”

The refresh is to involve a broad range of agencies, consultation with the private sector and non-government organisations, and analysis of international best practice.

It is to assess institutional arrangements for cyber security, collaboration with the private sector, efforts to address cybercrime, system-wide leadership on government information security, international cyber cooperation and responses to opportunities to grow the cyber security sector, and the security challenges of emerging technology.

The NCPO was established in 2012 to lead the development of cyber security policy advice and provide advice to the government on investing in cyber security activities. It also conducts outreach with the private sector on cyber security policy, and leads New Zealand's international engagement on cyber security policy (with MFAT).

It formally reports to the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media on cyber security policy matters.