TSRMP Explained: What the Telecommunications Sector Risk Management Plan Means for Australian Telcos

Australia’s telecommunications sector underpins almost every critical service in the country. From emergency response and healthcare to banking and government operations, telecom networks are foundational. Recognising this, the Australian Government requires telecommunications providers to implement a Telecommunications Sector Risk Management Plan (TSRMP).

But what exactly is a TSRMP, why does it matter, and how should organisations approach it in practice?

What Is a TSRMP?

A Telecommunications Sector Risk Management Plan (TSRMP) is a structured program that identifies, assesses, and manages risks that could impact the availability, integrity, reliability, and security of telecommunications networks and services.

The TSRMP is designed to ensure telecom providers can:

• Identify critical assets and dependencies

• Understand sector-specific threats

• Implement proportionate controls

• Maintain resilience against disruption, compromise, or misuse

In short, it’s about keeping Australia connected—securely and reliably.

Why TSRMP Matters

Telecommunications risks are no longer limited to physical outages or equipment failures. Today’s threat landscape includes:

• Cyber attacks targeting core networks

• Insider threats and privileged access misuse

• Supply chain vulnerabilities

• Natural disasters and environmental hazards

• Complex interdependencies with other critical sectors

A TSRMP forces organisations to move from reactive risk management to a systematic, forward-looking approach that regulators expect.

Key Components of a TSRMP

While the implementation can vary by organisation, a robust TSRMP typically includes:

1. Asset Identification

Clear identification of:

• Critical telecommunications assets

• Network components and systems

• Data flows and dependencies

You can’t protect what you don’t understand.

2. Risk Identification & Assessment

Assessment of risks across:

• Cyber threats

• Physical and environmental risks

• Personnel and insider risks

• Supply chain and third-party risks

Risks should be assessed based on likelihood, impact, and business criticality.

3. Control Implementation

Documented controls to mitigate identified risks, including:

• Technical safeguards

• Operational procedures

• Governance and oversight mechanisms

• Incident response and recovery measures

Controls should be defensible, auditable, and proportionate.

4. Monitoring & Review

TSRMPs are not “set and forget.”They must be:

• Regularly reviewed

• Updated as threats evolve

• Tested through exercises and scenarios

Continuous monitoring is essential for ongoing compliance and resilience.

5. Governance & Accountability

Effective TSRMPs clearly define:

• Roles and responsibilities

• Escalation pathways

• Executive and board oversight

Strong governance ensures risk ownership is clear and enforceable.

Common TSRMP Challenges

Many organisations struggle with:

• Fragmented documentation across teams

• Manual risk tracking using spreadsheets

• Inconsistent evidence for audits and reviews

• Difficulty linking risks to controls and assets

• Limited visibility for executives and boards

These challenges often lead to compliance fatigue and unnecessary regulatory risk.

From Compliance to Capability

A well-implemented TSRMP should do more than meet regulatory expectations. It should:

• Improve operational resilience

• Reduce incident response times

• Enable better investment decisions

• Strengthen trust with regulators and stakeholders

When done properly, TSRMP becomes a business enabler, not a burden.

How Technology Supports TSRMP Execution

Modern TSRMP programs increasingly rely on platforms that:

• Centralise asset and risk registers

• Automate risk assessments

• Track controls and evidence in real time

• Provide dashboards for management and boards

• Support audits and regulatory reporting

This shift allows organisations to move from point-in-time compliance to continuous assurance.

Final Thoughts

The Telecommunications Sector Risk Management Plan is not just another regulatory requirement. It reflects the reality that telecommunications is nationally critical infrastructure, and its failure can have cascading impacts across the economy and society.

Organisations that treat TSRMP as a living, evolving program—supported by the right governance and technology—will be best positioned to meet regulatory expectations and operate with confidence in an increasingly complex threat environment.