The Australian Government has released the Industry Data Classification Framework (IDCF), a new voluntary tool to help organisations understand, manage and protect the value of their data.
The IDCF provides a consistent way for organisations to classify, protect and share data, aligning with existing standards and designed to suit businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. It helps organisations understand the value of their data, identify and manage data risks, apply appropriate protections, and share data securely and with greater confidence.
Developed in partnership with CSIRO, the framework is a key deliverable of the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, drawing on extensive research and consultation with industry across Australia. It has been designed to be flexible and accessible, suiting organisations at any stage of their data security maturity.
Under Horizon 2 of the Strategy, the Department of Home Affairs will continue working with industry to support adoption of the IDCF and ensure it remains responsive to Australia’s evolving cyber threat landscape.
Department of Home Affairs First Assistant Secretary for Counter Foreign Interference, Cyber and Technology, Greta Doherty, said the IDCF was an important outcome of the Strategy that would help organisations strengthen their data governance, share data with confidence, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
Click here: Industry Data Classification Framework | Horizon 2: Expanding our reach (2026-2028)
