The Cyber Security CRC will receive about $89 million from 25 industry, research and government partners, according to a joint statement from Craig Laundy, Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, and Dan Tehan, Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security.
The announcement was welcomed by the Edith Cowan University which said it, and the state of Western Australia, would be lead partners in the new centre.
The CRC will focus on:
- Ensuring the security of critical infrastructure by developing new approaches, tools and techniques to predict, prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats from nation states, criminals, and other individuals;
- Ensuring industry, SMEs and the community can access online services with confidence. This will also grow Australia’s reputation as a safe and trusted place to do business and access cyber space; and
- Build and develop the next generation of industry, government and research cyber security leaders.
Laundy said: “This investment will contribute to Australia’s reputation as a secure and trusted place to do business, enabling industry to attract and increase investment, trade and commerce and delivering broad economic benefit.”
ECU vice-chancellor Professor Steve Chapman said: “ECU is already recognised as a world leader in cyber security research and teaching. Our academics regularly assist Interpol, WA Police and the WA Auditor-General’s Office. We welcome the opportunity to continue to grow Australia’s cyber capabilities.”
ECU Security Research Institute director Professor Craig Valli said cyber security was now everyone’s business.
“The growth in popularity of cloud-based services, personal mobile devices and social networking sites has meant an increasing number of organisations and individuals are being exposed to higher levels of security threats,” he said.
“The Cyber Security CRC will work with key government, industry and research groups to strengthen systems and networks and train the next generation of cyber security specialists. Ultimately, this will have benefits for the community who will enjoy an online experience that is more secure.”
The centre will bring together expertise across six of Australia’s leading cyber security universities together with industry and government partners, including the AFP, ATO, the Attorney-General’s Department, CERT, Cisco, the Department of Defence, Data61, Tata Consultancy Services, Jemena, ActewAGL and Singtel Optus.