Op-Ed: Australia’s cyber shield strategy – a national push towards unified resilience

From defence to resilience

Historically, Australia’s cyber security efforts were distributed across various mandates: federal policies, critical infrastructure laws, and insurer requirements.

The six cyber shields model represents a fundamental change. It applies to every organisation, across all sectors and sizes, and defines a minimum national standard for cyber protection.

The model is built on six pillars, referred to as “shields”, designed to create a cumulative line of defence:

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1. Strong businesses and citizens

2. Safe technology

3. World-class threat sharing and blocking

4. Protected critical infrastructure

5. Sovereign capabilities

6. Resilient regional and global leadership

Each shield is supported by a range of practical, legal, and policy-driven actions. Some are already mandated by law, others are promoted as best practice, and several are still to be phased in by 2040.

Shield 1: Building a culture of cyber awareness

The foundation of the model is the notion that cyber security is a shared responsibility. Key initiatives include mandatory, no-fault ransomware reporting, free cyber health checks for small- to mid-sized businesses, and expansion of digital identity systems to reduce risk exposure.

This cultural shift aims to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks by ensuring all Australians (individuals and businesses alike) embrace fundamental cyber hygiene.

Shield 2: Technology that’s secure by design

In the past, software and devices were patched post-release to close security gaps. Today’s model demands that security be built into digital products from inception.

This shield includes legislation for internet of things (IoT) device standards, optional labelling schemes for smart home products, and reviews of long-term data retention practices.

The objective is simple: eliminate blind spots before they become vulnerabilities.

Shield 3: Real-time threat sharing and blocking

As cyber threats become faster and more complex, timely information is vital. The third shield focuses on improving intelligence sharing between the government and industry.

Notable programs include an expanded ASD threat-sharing platform and new automated threat-blocking tools led by the National Anti-Scam Centre.

The emphasis is on delivering machine-readable intelligence that can be fed directly into security tools for immediate action.

Shield 4: Fortifying critical infrastructure

With energy grids, telecom networks, and transport systems increasingly targeted, this shield mandates stronger protections and preparedness.

New obligations under the amended Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act, sector-specific tabletop exercises, and standardised incident playbooks are all designed to ensure fast, consistent responses in the event of an attack.

More than technology, this shield requires operational muscle memory: tested plans, clear coordination, and real-time visibility.

Shield 5: Developing domestic cyber talent

Australia faces a pressing talent shortfall in cyber security. To address it, the government is investing in cyber education at all levels, supporting domestic industry innovation, and promoting long-term workforce development through partnerships with Jobs and Skills Australia.

For chief information security officers (CISOs), this means fostering environments where cyber security professionals can thrive and adapt in step with evolving threats.

Shield 6: Cyber security as a global mandate

Recognising that cyber threats do not stop at national borders, the sixth shield positions Australia as a regional and global leader. Programs to build a Pacific-wide cyber crisis response team and leverage private sector innovation aim to raise the security bar across south-east Asia.

Global partnerships and state-level deterrence measures round out this shield, positioning Australia as both a protector and influencer on the international cyber stage.

Adapting to the future

The six-shields model is part of a broader strategic vision that extends to 2030 and anticipates further policy evolution through 2040. While early focus areas include ransomware and threat intelligence sharing, the model is designed to adapt.

Future legislative additions are expected to address emerging technologies, evolving threats, and international dynamics.

For businesses, this means two imperatives: ensuring compliance with current shield-related mandates and building flexibility into security frameworks to accommodate future changes.

For Australian organisations, the six cyber shields model is more than a compliance requirement – it’s a strategic opportunity. It calls for smarter investments in threat detection, automated response, and cross-sector collaboration.

Importantly, it encourages businesses to go beyond minimum standards and become leaders in a fast-changing security landscape.

By embedding resilience into every layer of operations – from frontline staff to IT infrastructure – companies can protect intellectual property, customer trust, and market standing in an increasingly volatile digital world.

Cyber security, once the domain of back-office teams, is now a boardroom priority. And in Australia, the six-shields model is shaping how every organisation prepares for, responds to, and recovers from the inevitable.