The Australian Government will invest AU$50 million over the next seven years to establish a new industry-led Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)to build Australia’s cyber security capability and deliver solutions to ensure the safety of businesses and citizens in cyberspace.
This funding will leverage more than AU$89 million from 25 industry, research and government partners. Collaborations from industry, research and community sectors can apply (A CRC must have at least one Australian industry organisation and one Australian research organisation).
The Cyber Security CRC will deliver solutions to increase the security of critical infrastructure and that benefit businesses and their customers. These include frameworks, products and approaches that will service existing and future ICT enterprises across a broad range of platforms and operating systems.
The Australian Government is committed to meeting the challenges of cyber security through the implementation of the Government’s Cyber Security Strategy. The strategy addresses how Australia can be more resilient to malicious cyber activity and highlights the importance of a targeted and coordinated approach to research and development within the cyber security ecosystem.
The activities of the Cyber Security CRC will contribute to these objectives while improving the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries.
The Australian Cyber Security Growth Network (AustCyber), part of the Government’s Industry Growth Centres Initiative, will work closely with the Cyber Security CRC to facilitate collaborative research that meets the needs of Australian industry.
The Hon Craig Laundy MP – Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, 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. This will give the Australian community confidence they are safe and secure as they conduct their business online.”
Earlier this year, in April, the government provided its first annual update for the cybersecurity strategy, released in April 2016. Industry engagement is one of the key areas in the strategy.