A new national cyber security co-ordinator will be appointed as the government steps up efforts to prevent large-scale data breaches of people’s personal details.

The federal government said the co-ordinator would oversee work being done to prevent online attacks, as well as help manage date breaches when they take place.

The announcement coincided with a cyber security roundtable being held in Sydney on Monday, hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with business and government leaders. It will look at ways to combat cyber attacks.

A discussion paper has also been released, outlining a seven-year strategy that would aim to be in place on cyber security from next year.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said having a cyber security co-ordinator earlier would have made a significant difference during last year’s data breaches of Optus and Medibank customer data.

“What we will have now is an individual in the public service who is going to co-ordinate the response across government and make sure that not only are we deterring and preventing cyber attacks … that Australians can get back up off the mat quickly,” she told ABC Radio on Monday.

“[One part of] this person’s job will be to help manage cyber incidents in a proper, seamless strategic way across the Australian government.”

The co-ordinator will be part of a new national office for cyber security within the Home Affairs department.

Advertising for the role will take place within coming months.

Ms O’Neil said the discussion paper would help to make Australia more cyber secure by the end of the decade.

She said current laws on cyber security were not up to scratch, as demonstrated by the Optus and Medibank breaches.

Changes being proposed at the roundtable will include an update to the definition of what is a critical asset, along with steps business can take to prevent breaches.

– AAP