NSW Strategy at a Glance

The cyber security sector has a dual role to play in the digital economy: to defend and protect the economy and underpin it's growth. Cyber security is the spine of a strong digital society, providing a trusted environment necessary to grow digital transformation and the confidence needed to advance digital adoption. At the same time, strong cyber capability protects the economy from losses due to cybercrimes and builds the foundational capability to grow the emerging digital technology sector.

As a result, it is our vision for NSW to become a world leader in cyber security: protecting, growing and advancing our digital economy.

In order to achieve this vision, there are four principles that we will consider when we execute our strategy:

Lead by example in best practice and cyber resilience

There is an opportunity for the NSW Government and its agencies to lead by example in adopting and exceeding best practice in cyber security. We need to be accountable in adhering to and exceeding the mandatory cyber security requirements we set within NSW Government through the NSW Cyber Security Policy. To achieve this, we will establish greater accountability amongst our agencies to adhere to these requirements.

Be progressive and proactive to allow cyber workforce to expand

We need to be progressive and 'widen the pipeline' when we recruit for cyber security professionals and commit to reducing the barriers of entry and create opportunities for under-represented groups to join the workforce. Throughout our consultations, we heard loud and clear that the development of a skilled, diverse workforce will be an important part of creating a strong cyber security industry in NSW. To build and sustain a skilled cyber security workforce, there needs to be focus on encouraging diversity across gender, ethnicity, neuro-spectrum and geography as well as seeking out talent from different fields of study.

Additionally, COVID-19 has also accelerated the progression of remote working and digital adoption ranging from business social media platforms to complex business operating systems. These changes have demonstrated not only the potential for, but the significant opportunity for the growth of cyber security professionals to work in a geographically fluid manner. This provides the opportunity for skill transfer between regional communities and large metropolitan areas.

Seek opportunities to grow cyber industry commercialisation

There is a need to create enhanced opportunities for innovation and commercialisation so we can generate a higher risk-appetite for adopting emerging cyber security services and products. This will be reliant on the ability for both industry and government to share vulnerabilities in order to drive the direction of research and innovation.

Provide practical support to reduce barriers to business growth

There is an ongoing need to provide businesses with the tools, connections and opportunities necessary to grow. We need to break down barriers by facilitating pathways for industry to better access government, potential collaboration partners and industry networks. We also need to provide industry with the tools and knowledge needed to proactively engage with potential opportunities with reduced barriers to entry.

Learn more about how this strategy will impact you if you are: