Horizon 2 of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy
18 September 2025
On 8 September 2025, the Law Council provided a submission to the Department of Home Affairs in response to its consultation on the development of Horizon 2 of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.
This submission was informed by contributions from the Law Institute of Victoria, Law Society of New South Wales, and Queensland Law Society, in addition to the Law Council’s Futures Committee and Business Law Section’s SME Business Law Committee.
The Law Council’s submission emphasised the need to ensure proportionality, consistency, and certainty within the regulatory landscape, while recognising the very real and potentially devastating impacts of cyber security threats. The specific challenges faced by small to medium businesses (SMBs) in uplifting cyber security arrangements were highlighted, with a focus on the unique circumstances of small legal practices.
The Law Council made the following key points in its submission:
- The success of Horizon 2 will depend on how emerging technologies, including AI, are harnessed for productivity, while balancing regulatory obligations with strong privacy and cyber security outcomes.
- With the heavy costs of cyberattacks and data breaches on individuals and organisations, cyber security management should no longer be considered optional, but regulation must be balanced to avoid stifling innovation and investment.
- Horizon 2 should raise awareness of cyber security standards and show what smaller firms can realistically achieve with limited resources, backed by targeted support.
- The Government should assess the regulatory impact on SMBs and provide funding and incentives to support uptake and compliance.
- Cyber security voices from government and industry must remain visible and influential across society.
The Law Council will continue to engage with the Australian Government as it refines Australia’s regulatory, legislative, and policy settings to build national cyber security resilience and enhance cyber security across the economy.
Last Updated on 16/09/2025
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