Govt intros cyber security strategy

The Government has today launched a cyber security strategy aimed at improving New Zealand's protection against internet threats.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Steven Joyce, stressed the importance of cyber security when launching the initiative today.

"Criminal elements are increasingly using the internet to gain access to personal information, steal business' intellectual property, undermine critical services and gain knowledge of sensitive government-held information for financial or other malicious purposes.

"New Zealand's Cyber Security Strategy is the government's strategic response to the growing cyber threat.  It brings forward targeted initiatives aimed at improving cyber security for individuals, businesses, critical national infrastructure and government."

The announcement is timely considering the rise of cyber vigilante groups like Anonymous (which recently pledged to carry out a denial of service attack on the New Zealand Government) and LulzSec, and subsequent cyber attacks on corporations like Sony and HB Gary, among others.

The Government said it will work in partnership with national infrastructure providers and other businesses to help address evolving threats.  The Government will also establish a National Cyber Security Centre aimed at protecting government agencies from sophisticated cyber attacks.

Joyce said the strategy will "significantly improve" New Zealand's cyber security and provide a platform to meet new challenges as they arise.

The Strategy has been developed in consultation with industry and government cyber security experts, non-government organisations, academia and international security advisers.

The strategy is available on the Ministry of Economic Development's websit.