Computerworld

Government unveils cyber security strategy

Strategy outlines five priority areas

Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Kris Faafoi has released a new cyber security strategy saying it highlights four fundamentals for cyber security: partnerships are crucial; people are secure and human rights are respected online; economic growth is enhanced; national security is protected.

If follows an allocation in the recent budget of $8 million over the next four years to implement the strategy, in addition to $9.3 million funding for CERT NZ.

Faafoi said partnerships are the most important component “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 to thrive online.”

The strategy lists five priority areas and the actions the Government intends to take in each to improve New Zealand’s cyber security.

Cyber security aware and active citizens

 building a culture in which people can operate securely online and know what to do if something goes wrong.”

Strong and capable cyber security workforce and ecosystem

“Our work in this area will focus on: incentivising and increasing the supply of skilled cyber security workers; supporting the expansion of roles and opportunities for cyber security workers; incentivising the growth of the cyber security industry in New Zealand; supporting industry and professional organisations to promote responsible management of cyber security across their organisations and workplaces; encouraging the development of a world-class cyber security academic research community; supporting high-quality cyber security research and encouraging links between academia and industry.”

Resilient and responsive New Zealand

“The focus of this area is expanding from building resilience in significant infrastructure to being able to respond to incidents across the system.”

Proactively tackle cybercrime

“Work continues on implementing the 2015 National Plan to Address Cybercrime, including consideration of accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (the Budapest Convention). We will also continue to work with others on issues related to encryption: ensuring that law enforcement can access the information it needs while balancing the rights of New Zealanders to protect their privacy and security.”

Internationally active

“We will continue to champion a free, open, secure internet. New Zealand’s voice in international discussions related to cyber issues will support the international rules-based order and promote peace and stability in cyberspace and ecosystem.”

Faafoi said the government had consulted widely with  the cyber security community. “As a result, the 2019 strategy emphasises the crucial role of individuals, businesses, community organisations and the private sector in achieving our vision of New Zealand being confident and secure in the digital world.”