The University of Canberra (UC) has entered a new partnership to establish a hub in the ACT for Government and industry to validate cybersecurity technologies.
Announcing the partnership with digital communications technology conglomerate Cisco, the Vice-Chancellor of UC, Paddy Nixon said the partnership would focus on boosting Australia’s cybersecurity resilience.
Professor Nixon said the new Innovation Central Canberra hub would also develop prototypes and de-risk the cybersecurity adoption process.
“The partnership will help to address the national cybersecurity skills shortage, secure Australia’s critical infrastructure, and expand the National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN), an alliance of companies and universities focused on the role that digital adoption can play in meeting Australia’s economic and social challenges,” Professor Nixon said.
“Cybersecurity is a major challenge for us at every level, and certainly for industry, government and universities – therefore, it is equally a major source of new jobs and innovation,” he said.
“There is enormous scope for Australia to improve its resilience against cyber attacks including the use of advanced digital technologies.”
Professor Nixon said the Innovation Central Canberra hub would be the sixth in a national network of Cisco innovation centres co-located on university campuses.
He said the agreement would also see the expansion of Cisco’s Networking Academy to the University of Canberra.
“The Academy is a global education program that provides best-in-class courses, tools, and resources to help people from all backgrounds participate in the digital economy, and connects them with peers, mentors, and job opportunities,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
“With its major focus on Defence and critical infrastructure, the partnership will allow companies to experiment with new technologies, collaborate on applied research and to address forecast cyber security skills shortages.”
