Joint cybersecurity centre opens in Sydney

A new joint cybersecurity centre that promotes collaboration across government, business and academia has launched in Sydney.

The new Sydney centre is part of the Australian Government’s $47 million Joint Cyber Security Centre (JCSC) program, which facilitates stronger partnerships between 101 organisations across private and public sectors, including defence industry, finance, transport, energy, health, mining and education.

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor said the Sydney JCSC will help improve Australia’s cybersecurity systems across industry, research and government.

“This is an important step to enhance Australia’s defensive cyber capabilities,” said Taylor. “The JCSC is a critical hub for business and government to improve their cybersecurity practices and share information in a trusted environment. We have already run a number of cybersecurity exercises across these centres, particularly in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games.

“Cybersecurity threats are always evolving, so we need to ensure we have a range of strategies in place to protect our digital borders and get on the offensive against cyber attacks.”

The Sydney JCSC launch event included interactive demonstrations where industry partners participated in responding to simulated cybersecurity incidents and a ‘War Games Simulation’ with government.

The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Australia — part of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) — is leading the JCSC initiative to establish cybersecurity centres in key cities across Australia through the government’s 2016 Cyber Security Strategy.

Currently, there are JCSCs located in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, with the Adelaide centre due to open later in 2018.

Image: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Jürgen Fälchle