Key Notes
- Gridware one of 4 firms involved in new Cybersecurity Aid Centre
- $750,00 funding granted in co-ordination with Western Sydney University, where Centre will be based
- The Centre will cybersecurity support for small businesses experiencing cyber incidents and will aim to increase awareness around cybersecurity for small businesses
- Hotline for assistance to small businesses to also be established as part of the Centre
Gridware is delighted to announce that the firm and Western Sydney University have won funding from the Federal Government to establish Australia’s first Cybersecurity Aid Centre.
The project will be led by Western Sydney University, in concert with Gridware and 3 other cyber providers who will help establish the centre.
The Federal Government last week confirmed the funding, which comes to some $745,920 directed at funding for Western Sydney University to establish the Cybersecurity Aid Centre to train and support small business with Cyber Incident Response.
Funded through the Cyber Security Business Connect and Protect Grants Program, the Centre will be located in Parramatta and led by Western Sydney University in partnership with leading New South Wales cybersecurity businesses – Gridware, Emergence, DCEncompass and Secolve.
The Training Centre will provide Cyber Incident Response support for small businesses experiencing data breach, ransomware or email business compromise, and will host training seminars around the State of NSW.
The project will enhance cybersecurity resources through the development of a Cyber Suite and Toolkit for Small Businesses — a hotline for assistance with cybersecurity incidents, and will integrate applied support with learning and skills development for Western Sydney University students.
Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, last week commended Western Sydney University on its collaborative approach to supporting businesses to recognise cyber risks and opportunities.
“The ‘Cybersecurity Aid Centre’ will enhance business’ security and cyber capabilities which will help ensure Western Sydney’s strong economic prosperity and development continues as we come back from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Payne said.
“This latest investment is part of the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 and complements our $1.2 billion Digital Economy Strategy, which will be part of this year’s Federal Budget 2021-22.”
Project lead Professor Alana Maurushat, from the University’s School of Social Sciences and School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, said the Centre will deliver new programs to upskill small and medium enterprises and students with the latest skills in the technology and psychology of cybercrime.
“Tackling cybercrime is a high priority. Businesses need a resource centre that will help them when a cybersecurity crises arises, as well as help to build resilience and awareness around cybercrime and the kinds of behaviours, technologies and change management practices they need to adopt to protect themselves,” Professor Maurushat said.
For more information about Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020, visit https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/our-portfolios/cyber-security/strategy.
