Australia is committed to working with countries across the Indo-Pacific to champion a safe, secure and prosperous region by strengthening collective cyber resilience.

On 22 November 2023, Australia launched its 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy. The Strategy sets out the Australian Government's vision to be a world leader in cyber security by 2030.

The Strategy takes a whole-of-nation approach to building cyber resilience, incorporating domestic and international elements. The Strategy's 'Shield 6' refers to a Resilient regional and global leadership.

In line with the Strategy, we have refocused our cyber cooperation efforts to support enduring cyber resilience in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to ensure regional governments are better positioned to prevent cyber incidents. Our new Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program (SEA-PAC Cyber) - the successor program to the Cyber and Critical Tech Cooperation Program (CCTCP) - supports a cyber resilient region through:

• enhancing cyber security and critical technology capabilities;
• strengthening cyber incident preparedness and response; and
• supporting development of national and regional cyber policies, norms, standards, laws and regulations to reflect an open, free and secure cyber ecosystem.

Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program (SEA-PAC Cyber)

Since July 2016, CCTCP has funded 156 cyber cooperation and capacity building initiatives worth $71.9 million in 24 ODA-eligible countries across Southeast Asia and the Pacific to continue uplifting cyber resilience in the region.

The Australian Government has refocused CCTCP to provide more targeted, impactful and sustainable capacity building initiatives for enduring cyber resilience in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to ensure regional governments are better positioned to prevent and respond to cyber incidents.

Under SEA-PAC Cyber - the Australian Government will contribute a further $43.2 million to cyber capacity building in the region until 2028. SEA-PAC Cyber will bring together our regional cooperation initiatives funded through the Strategy under one overarching, cohesive program. DFAT continues to deliver cyber capacity building in the Indo-Pacific, including for example

• partnering with the US in Palau to provide support following cyber incidents in early 2024. Australian support includes a vulnerability assessment on key parts of Palau's Government network and provision of a private sector expert as a Cyber Security Advisor;
• delivering cyber security exercising in countries across the Pacific, to improve incident response resilience and the knowledge and capability of participating Pacific governments;
• strengthening cyber capability in Laos through partnering with its government to enhance cyber incidence response, uplift cyber awareness and training of its workforces, and build cyber security resilience;
• supporting women from across the Indo Pacific to attend meetings of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Cyber (OEWG).

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to ensuring that all its investments and diplomatic activities progress GEDSI outcomes, in line with the Australian Government's international commitments to sustainable development, gender equality and disability rights.

SEA-PAC Cyber takes a twin-track approach to GEDSI strategy, mainstreaming inclusion as well as providing specific targeted interventions to prevent unintended harm and further marginalisation as well as ensuring the equitable distribution of opportunities and benefit.

As an example, various initiatives have been established under the "Women, Peace and Cybersecurity" projects across the Indo-Pacific. These address knowledge gaps and build capability to strengthen the cyber security posture of women's civil society organisations and human rights defenders.