Tony Burke announces ‘new program of work’ under Horizon 2 of the Australian Cyber Security Strategy

“Since the launch of the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, the cyber threat environment has intensified. We are seeing rapid jumps in capability through technologies like artificial intelligence and increasingly complex, evolving cyber threats,” Burke said.

“The measures we are announcing under Horizon 2 of the strategy set out how we will position Australia to respond and build on the achievements of Horizon 1, which included the country’s first Cyber Security Act, the appointment of the National Cyber Security Coordinator and the establishment of the Executive Cyber Council.”

Burke said the government will work with industry partners at home and abroad, alongside the community, to reduce the impacts of an evolving and expanding threat landscape.

Horizon 2 consists of 19 actions and 64 initiatives led or co-led by 12 government agencies, which the government plans to have in place by the end of 2028. Taken together, Horizon 2 is built on three distinct pillars:

• Enable our workers to be our strongest defence, our “human firewall”.
• Continue to protect and uplift the cyber security of our critical infrastructure and government systems.
• Support Australia’s uptake of new and emerging technologies in a secure manner.

“Our greatest area of risk is always government systems and critical infrastructure. Horizon 1 was about putting the strongest possible locks on the front door,” Burke said.

“In Horizon 2, we look at the supply chain that engages with government and critical infrastructure. We are now locking the windows.”

The minister also addressed the challenge of combating threats powered by artificial intelligence, noting that while a business may be investing in what he called “firewall technology”, a simple mistake made by an employee who’s been tricked by a deepfake could undo all that work.

“Investing in a technical firewall is not enough,” Burke said.

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“We need to improve the human firewall for real cyber security.”

The government has also announced an online, public town hall to discuss the Horizon 2 Action Plan on Thursday, 2 July 2026.

“At the public town hall, you can hear directly from government about the new program of work to uplift Australia’s cyber maturity over the next three years,” the government said.

“You can also learn about opportunities to get involved, and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about Horizon 2.”

You can sign up for the town hall here, and learn more about Horizon 2 here.