Australian Govt’s “Horizon 2” Comes Into View

The Australian Government has invited input on the key policy and program outcomes the nation needs to achieve under the 2023 – 2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.

Building on the momentum of the recently introduced Cyber Security Act 2024, Minister for Cyber Security, Tony Burke MP, has released the Horizon 2 Policy Discussion Paper. It seeks feedback and input on key policies designed to enable Australia to:

·         Embed cyber messaging, cyber standards, capability and efforts.

·         Empower Australian businesses and citizens to protect themselves and become more resilient to cyber incidents.

·         Enhance cyber frameworks, workforce, and business ecosystem to drive further cyber security uplift.

Consultation on the Discussion Paper is open to all levels of government, industry, educational institutions, community groups, and the Australian public. Submissions to can be made through the Department’s consultation webpage until 29 August 2025.

Further industry co-design and Town Halls will also be held during the consultation process.

Releasing the Discussion Paper, the Minister said:

“We have made historic progress on cyber security but there is always more to do when confronting this evolving threat. Our government believes that all Australians have the right to be safe and feel safe, and cyber security is a critical part of that effort.

“We’ve laid excellent foundations with Horizon 1 of the strategy and the passage of the Cyber Security Act – Horizon 2 will continue our progress towards our rightful place as a world leader on cyber security.”

Submissions can be made through the Department’s consultation webpage until 29 August 2025.