Home Affairs for IT modernisation set up a new cybersecurity office, however, did not receive any new funding. The department faces structural underfunding. In February, Home affairs Minister Clare O’ Neil had announced the establishment of the office. The aims were to set up a coordination place for cyber security incident response.
Additional information regarding the national office has come to light, revealing that the government did not allocate any extra funding to Home Affairs for the establishment of the office. Officials highlighted that cyber security responsibilities were being imposed without additional funding. The admission that the national office is one such responsibility reinforces the department’s claims.
Five FTE staff directly allocated to its activities
Furthermore, the office will only have five FTE staff directly allocated to its activities, in addition to the lack of extra funding. O’Neil proposed opening the national office as early as March. However, the target date has now been pushed to no later than May 1.
Furthermore, discussions with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) are necessary to determine respective roles and responsibilities. He said, “The national cyber security coordinator and the national office for cyber security will regularly engage with ASD including formalised engagement through operational protocols that will outline roles and responsibilities, including during cyber incidents.”