Government assistance sought by IT leaders to strengthen cybersecurity measures

In the digital age, cybersecurity has become a top priority for Australian businesses. A new survey of IT leaders reveals concerns and recommendations for improving the nation's cybersecurity posture.

More than one in three IT leaders now believe it is the responsibility of the IT department to protect the organization from cyber-attacks. This shift in perspective is a significant development, as decreasingly, they believe that responsibility lies with the government or employees specifically.

Minimising the financial impact of potential data breaches is a primary concern for 30% of Australian IT leaders, while 36% would like to see providing benchmarks for industry cybersecurity standards and practices. Aiding in early detection of potential threats and vulnerabilities is a concern for 47%, and over one-third believe improving incident response capabilities and reducing response time would benefit them (37%).

Collaboration with government agencies and law enforcement is a concern for 37% of IT leaders, while 28% are wary of allowing access to anonymised incident data for analysis without revealing specific organizational details. Around three in ten would like assistance in meeting regulatory compliance requirements more effectively (30%).

Australian IT leaders are calling for more government intervention and information sharing to help manage cybersecurity. Over nine in ten (93%) stress the importance of sharing information and best practices about data breaches between organizations, businesses, law enforcement, and the government. More than half of Australian IT decision-makers would like to see the government sharing knowledge and lessons learned from others' experiences (52%).

The Australian government has shown commitment to supporting businesses' cybersecurity. Before 2024, the government had prepared to support Australian businesses by fostering collaboration and information sharing through bilateral partnerships and commitments to regional peace and stability, including enhancing cyber cooperation with countries like Vietnam. Australia aims to deepen defense and cybersecurity relations, supporting partner nations and regional organizations such as ASEAN, indicating structured initiatives for cybersecurity information exchange and support.

Fostering collaborative defence strategies with other organizations is a concern for 35% of Australian IT leaders. Wanting more education and awareness to all Australians about cyber risks and how to stay safe online is requested by 59% of leaders. Providing more training for Australian businesses on cyber risks is requested by 45% of leaders, and more funding for Australian businesses for cyber protection is requested by 36% of leaders.

Contributing to better risk mitigation strategies and practices is a concern for 45% of Australian IT leaders, and around half of Australian IT decision-makers feel the government should be doing more to protect Australian businesses from cyber-attacks. Australian IT leaders also want more government intervention in facilitating collaboration with government agencies and law enforcement to combat cyber threats effectively.

In conclusion, Australian IT leaders are calling for increased collaboration, education, training, and funding to enhance the nation's cybersecurity posture. The government's commitment to supporting businesses and fostering information sharing through bilateral partnerships and regional organisations is a promising step towards a more secure digital future for Australia.