Australia slips in cyber maturity rankings: Delay in cyber security strategy blamed for lag in development

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s second annual report on cyber maturity has downgraded Australia's position in cyber maturity by two spots. So, in the 2015 rankings Australia has been pushed down to the fifth place despite the third rank in 2014.

For 2015, Australia earned a score of 79.9, still it went behind the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Singapore. The U.K. was omitted from the 2015 analysis. In 2014, Australia was just behind the U.S and U.K and occupied the third place with a cyber security maturity score at 75.8.

The rankings covered 20 nations and surveyed the Asia Pacific region alongside the U.S. and UK. The maturity score was calculated on the basis of a whole-of-nation approach to cyber policy, crime, and security issues. The rankings took into account the approach of nations to cyber legislation and regulation, international and public-private sector engagement, financial cyber crime, military application of security, digital economy, internet penetration, public awareness and computer emergency response teams, reports IT News.

The report, while appreciating Australia’s continued evolution in improving the political, business and social elements of cyber maturity, observed that it is hit by the limitations from the lack of a coherent national cyber policy that could guide cyber developments in the country.

Cyber security strategy

The report urged the government to deliver fast and implement the long-promised national cyber strategy to improve the scenario.

“While the government is engaging with the private sector during the review process, it’s yet to be seen what the review will deliver and what changes will be implemented as a result,” the paper stated.

“Australia’s score could improve with the release of a new cyber strategy and a more streamlined cyber policy structure to complement the country’s operational cyber improvements,” the report noted.

Focal areas

Meanwhile, a key advisor to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has given some indicators on what all will dominate the government's cyber security strategy.

According to the first assistant secretary of cyber policy and intelligence at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Lynwen Connick, there will be a high focus on education, guidelines and international partnerships.

It was the Tony Abbott government that started the review of the national cyber security guidelines by setting up a panel that included Australian Strategic Policy Institute and international cyber policy director Tobias Feakin.

Connick said a strong focus on cyber security is essential for Australian businesses to derive the full benefit of disruptive technologies such as the Internet of things, added the IT News report.

“During our review, we heard if we improve cyber security, that will support innovation in cyberspace more generally, and enable innovation more generally in the economy,” Connick said.

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