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Cyber Strategy 2021: Our vision

The Victorian Government’s vision is a cyber safe Victoria.

The Victorian Government’s vision is a cyber safe Victoria. A place where government, industry and the community connect and deliver services safely and securely online and in the physical world, with reduced risk.

We want to cultivate Victoria’s cyber economy to develop and export world-leading cyber people and tools. Our vision will be achieved through 3 core missions:

  • the safe and reliable delivery of government services
  • a cyber safe place to work, live and learn
  • a vibrant cyber economy.
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To deliver a cyber safe Victoria requires focus on delivering government, community and industry outcomes.

The safe and reliable delivery of government services

As with all modern organisations, Victorian Government IT systems face constant threat of malicious cyber activity.

These incidents involve online scams and fraud, malware and denial-of-service attacks, and the defacement of government websites. They threaten the safe and reliable delivery of government services and the confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.

This mission aims to strengthen the defences of Victorian Government systems and services proportionate to current
and emerging threats. These actions will protect the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information and support the reliable delivery of IT-dependent government services to the Victorian community.

Safe and reliable means:

  • the confidentiality of sensitive and personal information held by the Victorian Government is protected
  • services delivered either online or in the physical world are resilient to cyber-attacks and can be quickly recovered when interrupted
  • online communication channels are trustworthy and free from interference.

It is important that Victorian Government organisations lead by example in the successful management of cyber risk. Reaching this level of maturity will require significant input from the local cyber sector, which will support the Victorian economy to grow.

A cyber safe place to work, live and learn

All Victorians who use digital systems and services experience some level of cyber risk. Data from the Australian Cyber Security Centre shows that too often Victorians are falling victim to these cyber-attacks, with a new cybercrime reported in Victoria every 40 minutes.

This mission aims to support individuals, households, businesses and community groups to connect, engage and work safely online. The Victorian Government will support improved alignment of community engagement, education, legislation, policing and emergency management arrangements to foster a cyber resilient culture for Victoria.

A cyber safe place to work, live and learn means:

  • Victorians receive practical advice about how to reduce cyber risks
  • police are supported to prevent, detect, disrupt and prosecute cybercrime and other online offending (including technology-enabled crime)
  • critical infrastructure owners and operators, and essential services providers, are supported to improve their cyber resilience.
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A vibrant cyber economy

Cyber security is an essential foundation to a successful digital economy. As businesses increasingly work online, cybercrime represents a significant risk to Victoria’s economy. At the same time, cyber security represents a considerable opportunity for business and job growth in a digital economy.

As Victoria seeks to further develop the knowledge, expertise and tools required to combat current and future cyber risks, we must develop a strong cyber workforce and economy. Local cyber security skills and tools will be essential to supporting enhanced cyber resilience. This will help business and the government position Victoria as a global leader in the cyber market.

The development of stronger industry cyber security skills are a key enabler of digital economic growth. These skilled workers will underpin investment and jobs growth and are a key pillar of Victoria’s economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The mission aims to develop strategic partnerships to grow dynamic and competitive cyber security businesses and talent. This will underpin digital transformation, growth and new thinking across every sector of the Victorian economy Our actions will position Victoria as a global leader in the cyber security sector and support the state’s ongoing economic prosperity.

A vibrant cyber economy means:

  • we grow and advance Victoria’s technology ecosystem
  • Victoria’s skills training and development program is internationally recognised and has established pathways into cyber employment
  • increasing private and public investment in Victoria’s cyber businesses, research and expertise as key enablers of digital economic growth.

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