Govt seeks input on cyber whitepaper
For the next two months, Australians will have the chance to contribute to the government's Cyber White Paper in a bid to determine the issues in cyberspace that confuse and concern the country's citizenry.
The discussion paper, hosted on a purpose-built Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet-run blog, presents facts and figures on a range of issues including digital citizenship, online collaboration, safety and security online, and the different levels of governance required to encourage online investment in Australia's digital economy.
The paper presents issues and raises questions for response, in an attempt to formulate a view on how the Federal Government should be involved online in defending citizens from fraud and cyber attack or promoting business investment in such defence.
The government also said in the cyber discussion paper that it's hoping to get issues like cybercrime, cybersecurity and digital citizenship issues onto its mainstream agenda to achieve the goals outlined in its 2020 National Digital Economy Strategy.
"An associated goal of the White Paper is to 'mainstream' cyber issues. Cyber risks and cyber opportunities are not issues just for the consideration of information, communications and technology experts.
"Digital technologies are now so deeply embedded into the daily lives of all Australians that they need to be considered a normal part of the activities of governments, businesses, [not for profits] and individuals," the discussion paper said.
As the government releases its Cyber White Paper, the Greens have seized the opportunity to again criticise the government's cybercrime Bill currently before federal parliament.
Greens Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam lambasted the government today for ignoring what the party sees as fundamental flaws in the Bill.
"The Attorney-General's Department has done the bare minimum they thought necessary to acknowledge the existence of the critical and unanimous committee report. There is nothing on the death penalty, nothing about strengthening the role of the ombudsman, nothing addressing data destruction," Ludlam said, adding that the Greens will propose amendments to the Bill in the Senate.