26 May 2016
Cybersecurity a platform for business growth and innovation
Budget 2016 has allocated $22.2 million to establish a national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to help business
understand and respond to cyber threats. But more than just a response to risk, cybersecurity should be seen as a
platform for business growth and innovation in New Zealand, according to Deloitte.
Deloitte partner and national cybersecurity leader Anu Nayar says the funding to establish the CERT is a major
development for New Zealand because it delivers a strong message by government on the importance of cyber resilience for
our country.
“We welcome this commitment as it provides the much needed investment to build a platform for collaboration,
intelligence sharing and effective response to the cyber-attacks that affect our nation – all of which are crucial to
helping Kiwis and our businesses be secure, vigilant and resilient,” says Mr Nayar.
“However, the CERT and government can only do so much. As our lives become increasingly digital, many of the major
priorities for New Zealanders are reliant on a healthy, safe and secure cyberspace.”
Statistics from Connect Smart show that 96% of Kiwi businesses rely on the internet and technology for their day to day
activities. Estimates show that we could add over $34 billion to our economy if we used the internet more effectively.
As a nation, we need to build off of the foundations we already have. We need to continue to develop a diverse and
sustainable pool of cyber talent; blending policy, law, business, psychology and technical skills. We need to harness
our creativity to incubate and develop innovative solutions. And most importantly, we need to embed a lasting shift to
the way we think about cyber so that we move beyond the traditional modes of only viewing it as a risk, or a problem
that we can finitely solve. Instead, we should recognise cyber as a required ongoing capability of the world we now live
in and embrace it as a platform for growth.
“For us, the Budget 2016 allocation is more exciting than just being about the establishment of the CERT. It echoes our
perspective that as a nation we recognise and are investing in cyber resilience as being at the heart of powering our
future economic growth and the ongoing wellbeing of our people,” concludes Mr Nayar.
Deloitte’s team of experts look at today’s budget announcement, particularly how it relates to the long-term success of
New Zealand. For our full Budget 2016 commentary and analysis go to www.deloitte.com/nz/2016budget.
ends