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Australia’s top legal body is pleased with the government’s Cyber Security Strategy progress, but it says more can be done to support those hardest hit by cyber crime.
The Law Council of Australia has given a positive thumbs up to the federal government’s progress on Horizon 1 of its long-term Cyber Security Strategy, but it has taken the chance to provide a submission outlining what it would like to see happen regarding Horizon 2 of the program.
“Data protection, especially for sensitive personal information, is vitally important,” Law Council of Australia president Juliana Warner (pictured) said in a statement.
Warner agreed that all businesses have a role to play in keeping Australian data safe and secure, particularly when it comes to the very real harms that data breaches can cause everyday Australians.
According to Warner, “cyber security management should no longer be considered optional”.
“However, as we strive to address cyber threats, we must be cognisant of the regulatory and cost burden this can create, particularly for small and medium businesses,” Warner said.
“Small businesses are increasingly under pressure to manage compliance and risks associated with cyber crime, privacy and data security, and other reporting obligations.
“Consequently, small businesses require support and consideration when it comes to cyber security regulatory decision making.”
The legal profession, Warner said, is a perfect case in point. Most legal practices in Australia are either small businesses or lone practitioners. A recent Legal Costs Benchmarking Survey conducted by the Law Institute of Victoria found that out of the 10 most costly challenges for small law firms, cyber, data, IT security, and regulation were prominent.
“The Law Council believes it is essential the government provide targeted grants, incentives, or subsidies to assist small businesses, including small legal practices, to encourage uptake of better cyber security practices,” Warner said.
“This is particularly pertinent, in light of growing regulatory burdens faced by small legal firms, such as the rollout of Tranche 2 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime.”
Tranche 2 of this regime will require lawyers, accountants, and real estate professionals to implement compliance programs and improved customer due diligence programs. According to Austrac, the aim is to “harden Australian businesses and sectors against exploitation by serious organised criminals”.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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