Prioritising cyber between strategic partners: the US–Australia Cyber Dialogue (Tobias Feakin, The Strategist)

http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/prioritising-cyber-strategic-partners-us-australia-cyber-dialogue/

The ACSC Threat Report: a useful contribution to the cyber conversation (Zoe Hawkins, Tobias Feakin, The Strategist)

Yesterday the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) released its second annual Threat Report (PDF), outlining the cybersecurity challenges Australia faces and further developing Australia’s approach to cyberspace. This year’s ACSC report offers a detailed breakdown of cyber terminology, a strategic assessment of the threat environment and a refreshingly candid narrative.

http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/acsc-threat-report-useful-contribution-cyber-conversation/

Cyber Maturity 2016 (Tobias Feakin, Jessica Woodall, Liam Nevill, Zoe Hawkins, ASPI)

https://www.aspi.org.au/publications/cyber-maturity-2016

Two conflicts, two enemies: Erdogan’s volatile security dilemma (Tobias Feakin, ASPI The Strategist)

While ISIS is clearly a complex thorn in the side of the Turkish government, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces a broad range of interconnected problems related to Syria that are destabilising the nation’s security and reputation. He’s perceived by his population as a strong leader, but his brand of autocratic power politics has the potential to deteriorate the situation further.

http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/two-conflicts-two-enemies-erdogans-volatile-security-dilemma/

Agenda for Change 2016: cybersecurity (Tobias Feakin, Jessica Woodall, Liam Nevill, Zoe Hawkins, ASPI The Strategist)

Regardless of their political stripes, the next Australian government has a solid foundation from which to approach cyber policy, comprised of the new Australian Cyber Security Strategy, the National Innovation and Science Agenda and 2016 Defence White Paper. Alongside the release of the Strategy was the announcement of a four-year $230 million investment to enhance Australian cybersecurity capabilities and launch new cyber initiatives. The Australian government hasn’t invested in this area since 2009, so it’s well overdue

http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/agenda-change-cybersecurity/

The new Australian Cyber Security Strategy: a positive first step but a long road ahead (Tobias Feakin, ASPI The Strategist)

There’s a great deal to be positive about with the launch of the Australian Cyber Security Review and Strategy. Yes, it took a little longer than promised, but the headlines are good news for the cyber security ecosystem and illustrate that this Government is prioritising cyber in a way that previous governments haven’t. It’s vital that the Strategy is seen as the foundation of a long term commitment by Government to build capacity, relationships, security and economic exchange. Now the hard work of implementation begins.

http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-new-australian-cyber-security-strategy-a-positive-first-step-but-a-long-road-ahead/

Apple versus the State: the end of the beginning (Tobias Feakin, ASPI The Strategist)

With a war of words akin to the build-up to a heavyweight boxing match, the highly anticipated courtroom battle between Apple and the FBI was called off, leaving fight fans without a clear cut understanding of who had won or lost. Just hours before the court case was to commence, the US Department of Justice announced that they postponed due to a ‘third party’ demonstrating a viable technique for accessing the iPhone that belonged to one of the San Bernardino shooters.

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Apple versus the State: finding the sweet spot in the encryption debate (Tobias Feakin, ASPI The Strategist)

Last week I gave a conference presentation examining how the public and private sectors work together, and at times clash, on issues of national security. Using Rod Lyon’s excellent schematic, I examined how the private sector fits into the debate around how to achieve both security and liberty. To do this, I examined the issue through the lens of the current clash between the US government and Apple over encryption that’s playing out through the media. The case illustrates that while both the public and private sectors are focused on the same goal of security for the ‘citizen’ or ‘customer’, different interpretations of what is meant by security can create friction. This piece will be the first in a three part series examining the case itself, some of the political messaging that’s emerging as a consequence, and finally what the consequences of the case will be for national security.

http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/apple-versus-the-state-finding-the-sweet-spot-in-the-encryption-debate/