Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have provided a formal submission to the Department of Home Affairs on the development of Horizon 2 of Australia's Cyber Security Strategy.
View the submission HERE (PDF)
The submission highlights the critical role of freight forwarders, customs brokers, exporters, importers, and logistics providers in maintaining the security and continuity of Australia's international supply chains. Key issues raised include:
- Integrated Cargo System (ICS) — at 20 years old, ICS remains the single greatest cyber risk to national trade continuity. Its modernisation or staged replacement must be a Horizon 2 priority.
- Sector-specific vulnerabilities — SMEs dominate the forwarding and brokerage sector, yet face thin margins and multiple overlapping compliance regimes that hinder investment in cyber resilience.
- Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) — a dedicated freight/logistics ISAC is needed to close critical gaps in real-time threat intelligence.
- Cyber awareness and training — programs such as a "Cargo Cyber Wardens" scheme, ransomware playbooks, and embedded cyber modules in Chain of Responsibility frameworks would strengthen frontline preparedness.
- Secure digital trade — adoption of international standards (MLETR, WCO, APEC) is vital to protect data flows, enable innovation (e-bills of lading, IoT cargo devices), and position Australia as a trusted trade partner.
FTA/APSA's submission reinforces that cyber resilience in freight is not a "nice to have" but a prerequisite for national security and economic continuity. Protecting the digital keys to trade is essential to safeguard border operations and supply chains in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
For further details, please refer to the submission or contact Tom Jensen at tjensen@FTAlliance.com.au.
Tom Jensen – General Manager, Freight Policy & Operations – FTA/APSA