Assistant minister for Defence launches new ICT strategy

The 2022 Defence Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy and the Defence Cyber Security Strategy were launched by Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite at a Defence ICT industry forum today.

A key element of both strategies was the importance of enduring partnerships for Defence, according to Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite, in order to leverage the experience and expertise of industry, academia, allies and regional partners.

"Australia’s strategic environment has traditionally been shaped by geopolitical and socio-economic change.

"Today that environment is being defined through rapid and exponential advances in technology," Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said.

"Defence’s capabilities are becoming more networked and reliant on cutting-edge information and communication technologies."

The Defence ICT Strategy is designed to give Defence the capability to harness the power of data and leverage it for improved situational awareness and decision making, aiming to support Defence in delivering lethal and non-lethal effects through a connected Australian Defence Force (ADF).

"In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and regional military modernisation, we must ensure Defence’s information and communications technologies are focused on enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s ability to fight and win in the digital age," Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite added.

The Defence Cyber Security Strategy details how Defence will combat cyber threats and ensure its capabilities are secured against attacks from adversaries. Over 300 Defence ICT industry and academia organisations at the event were briefed on the coordinated effort the new strategy requires across the entire Defence ecosystem, from ADF and Australian Public Service personnel to Defence’s industry partners and supply chain.

"Protecting our national security and our national interests is a key priority for the Albanese government, and Defence requires modern, agile and secure information and communications technology so the ADF can operate effectively in the modern battle space," Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said.