New voluntary principles to protect critical technology supply chains

Governments and businesses are encouraged to seek guidance on decisions about their technology suppliers, including the transparency of their own products, using a new set of voluntary supply chain principles released by the federal government.

The Critical Technology Supply Chain Principles is designed for organisations, including both governments and businesses of all sizes, to securely and confidently adopt and develop the critical technologies that will drive Australia’s economic recovery and future growth.

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the voluntary principles would give businesses and consumers the confidence to take up, invest in, and further develop critical emerging technologies – such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, and algorithmic automation.

“These principles come at a vital time – both for Australia and for our critical industries. We face unprecedented threats from a range of malicious cyber actors, growing geo-strategic uncertainty, and are increasingly reliant on technologies that can be hacked, held to ransom, or otherwise disrupted,” Minister Andrews said.

“Alongside important legislation currently before the Senate to support and assist critical industries confront cyberattacks, wide adoption of these new principles will safeguard Australia’s security and prosperity for years to come,” she said.

Minister Andrews also revealed that the Australian Government will also use the Principles in its own decision-making practices.

The ten supply chain principles are grouped under three pillars: security-by-design; transparency; and autonomy and integrity.

Based on the principles, security is and should be a core component of critical technologies. Organisations must ensure they are making decisions that build-in security from the ground up.

Transparency of technology supply chains is also critical, both from a business perspective and a national security perspective.

Lastly, knowing that your suppliers demonstrate integrity and are acting autonomously is fundamental to securing your supply chain.

The principles were developed in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including industry, non-government organisations, state and territory governments, and the community.

Source: Minister for Home Affairs media release