Our infrastructure is becoming increasing interconnected, creating new vulnerabilities. Power struggles over commercial goals are now not just about corporate success or failure but are also setting the stage for kinds of foreign interference that weren’t possible before.
But there’s a void between business and national security agencies when it comes to understanding each other’s capabilities and limitations. Corporations have great visibility in terms of what is happening domestically and internationally that may affect their operations. Some of our corporate heavyweights have an in-house analytical capability or subscribe to specialist intelligence and analytical providers.
Most major companies have an operations or crisis centre. Corporations hold considerable data that may be of benefit to governments during and after incidents.
The official national security community should “dare to share”: be willing to provide information to business that is timely and of value in the prevention and mitigation of all risks faced by the nation.
Federal and state governments should expand the involvement of business in crisis exercises related to all aspects of national security.
There are constraints relating to passing on certain security information related to international agreements, perceptions of corporate advantage and, potentially, foreign ownership. But these restrictions should not affect the intent to share, although they can influence the depth and timeliness of the sensitive information to be shared.
There are already some mechanisms in place, established by both the Australian government and state governments, to hook up with business on issues of national security.
The Office of National Intelligence is seeking to expand its links to the private sector through more active engagement with business groups. ASIO has also been active over some years in reaching out to company bo ..
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