Cyber centre membership growing

South Australia’s leadership in cyber security continues to grow, with the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (A3C) at Lot Fourteen attracting 17 members since formally opening in July.

The A3C is committed to making cyberspace a better and safer place to do business now and into the future. Members can utilise best practice, full spectrum cyber courses to quickly increase the supply of skilled cyber workers while the Cyber Range is a secure network to safely test hardware and software, and to demonstrate products and services. Members also have access to cyber risk advisory services and collaboration opportunities.

Cybersecurity is one of the hi-tech focus sectors at Lot Fourteen innovation precinct and the A3C is a cornerstone of the state government’s vision to make SA the national leader in cyber security. The government has invested $10 million in the not-for-profit centre, which is the first of its kind in Australia and is bringing together the education, industry and business sectors.

Recently joined A3C members represent a mix of the education, IT, cyber, legal and defence industries and include national organisations AustCyber, Lockheed Martin Australia and BAE Systems Australia. Among the new interstate members are Retrospect Labs of WA, Willyama in ACT, and Splunk in NSW, while new SA members are Flinders University, CyberOps, Wallmans Lawyers, 11point2, Aizoon, 4^th Harmonic Pty Ltd and the School of Information Operations, which is a collaboration between defence industry companies DEWC and Leonardo.

They have joined existing members the University of South Australia, the University of Adelaide, Dtex, and the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre.

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Joe North said the company was looking forward to partnering with A3C to focus on strengthening cyber resilience in Australia, especially in the national security and defence sectors.

“Organisations across all industries in Australia and the globe are being targeted by cyber threats, and it is important that Australian infrastructure, supply chains and our next-generation workforce are ready to face the growing and persistent cyber threat,” Mr North said.

“The A3C is an excellent organisation to drive innovation and create standards that ensure that Australia is prepared, and Lockheed Martin Australia will work with like-minded members of the organisation to meet these challenges.”

Collaboration across the industry ensures training is developed to produce students of a high quality to get them work ready and create jobs.

Vice President and Executive Dean of Flinders University’s College of Science and Engineering, Professor Alistair Rendell, is looking forward to new opportunities for student learning and seeing more jobs created as the industry continues to collaborate.

“Flinders University is excited by the opportunity the A3C presents to expose our students to real life cyber security challenges particularly through work integrated learning placements with the associated businesses,” Professor Rendell said.

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the A3C was a boon for the cyber capability of South Australia and the nation.

“With cybersecurity one of the greatest challenges facing the global economy, it is vital we partner with industry, to ensure businesses have cyber awareness, resilience and the capability to withstand attacks and participate in the global economy.” he said.

The Centre continues to seek new partnerships and collaboration to solve global cyber challenges and create opportunities.

More information at www.a3c.co or contact Sophie Beven on 08 8155 5320 or [email protected].