A new cyber hub is to be established in Canberra to capitalise on one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia and position the Territory as the cyber capital of the nation.
Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tara Cheyne said the Canberra Cyber Hub would have four key objectives: to grow cyber security education pathways; promote the ACT’s research capabilities; showcase the Territory’s cyber security capabilities; and assist small and medium enterprises to grow connections and attract investment.
Ms Cheyne said that by 2024 Australia’s cyber security spending was expected to grow by 35 per cent to $7.6 billion, while an estimated 7,000 additional cyber security jobs would be created.
“Canberra is well-placed to be a leader in cyber security due to our high concentration of cyber security stakeholders, established education and research capabilities, highly skilled workforce, collaborative business community and close proximity to government,” Ms Cheyne said.
“The Canberra Cyber Hub will harness Canberra’s unique cyber capabilities to create more jobs and further diversify the ACT economy,” she said.
Ms Cheyne said the Hub would be co-designed and industry-led, which was why former Rector of UNSW Canberra, Michael Frater had been chosen to lead its establishment.
Dr Frater said Canberra’s proximity to the Commonwealth Government put it in a competitive position to capitalise on the planned $1.67 billion allocation to cyber security through better collaboration and capacity-building.
