news The Victorian Government has inked a deal that will see Oxford University’s Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC) establish its first ever international office in Melbourne.
Small Business, Innovation and Trade Minister Philip Dalidakis signed the agreement in the UK on 15 December and said the move would cement Victoria’s reputation as a regional hub for cyber security – an industry worth $71 billion a year globally.
“Oxford University is a world leader in cyber security policy, research and education. Their decision to locate their first Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre international office in Melbourne is a huge vote of confidence for Victoria’s tech sector,” said Dalidakis.
He added: “Victoria is leading the nation on cyber security and the move by Oxford, coupled with the creation of a new Oceania Cyber Security Centre and the CSIRO’s plans to move their Data61 national cyber security operations to Melbourne, cements our reputation as the leader in this industry.”
Oxford’s GCSCC carries out audits of national cyber security risks and capabilities, assisting countries plan investments and strategies to improve digital security.
The GCSCC office is to be co-located with a new Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC), which was also announced on 15 December. The centre is being set up with support from the government and will bring together eight Victorian universities, the Defence Science Institute and private sector partners.
The state government said the new OCSC centre will aim to advance Victoria’s position as a regional leader in cyber security education, research, policy and entrepreneurship. The two centres, planned to be completed in the first half of next year, will create “new high-skill jobs for Victorians and will play a critical role safeguarding Australia’s growing digital economy”.
Dalidakis also announced an additional memorandum of understanding between the government and Data61 – the digital research arm of the CSIRO – to move its lead national cyber security centre to Melbourne. This centre will be a central part of a national network of Data61 capabilities, tying into Australia’s cyber security strategy.
These investments also follow moves to Victoria by a growing list of tech companies including the National Broadband Network (NBN), which recently announced it would be establishing its national Cyber Security Operations Centre in Victoria with 700 new jobs over the next five years.
“Cyber security is crucial to safeguarding our fast growing digital economy, it is now worth $71 billion a year globally, and the Andrews Labor Government is working hard to keep Victoria at the forefront,” Dalidakis said
Director of the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre Professor Sadie Creese commented: “We are delighted to be part of this exciting new partnership. Our aim is for our work to be used internationally as a common framework for effective cybersecurity, and working with key partners worldwide such as the Government of Victoria is the only effective way to tackle this truly global issue.”