South Australian partnership targets next generation of Defence and critical infrastructure security

Funded through the Defence Innovation Partnership’s Collaborative Research Fund, the Accelerating Protective Security Capability for Defence and Critical Infrastructure Industries project is being led by the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C) and will deliver a concept demonstrator exploring how technology, policy, organisational practices and human-centred design can work together to improve security outcomes.

The project has received $270,000 in funding with additional in-kind contributions from participating organisations, bringing the total value of the initiative to almost $800,000.

The collaboration brings together Aus3C, Adelaide University, Flinders University, Defence Science and Technology Group, DTEX Systems, Fivecast, Willyama and Deloitte to examine how organisations can better prepare for future protective security challenges.

Over the next 12 months, the consortium will identify emerging capability requirements, develop and test new protective security concepts, and produce protective security capability roadmaps to help organisations prioritise immediate improvements while building long-term resilience.

Defence Innovation Partnership director Sumen Rai said the initiative reflects the growing importance of collaboration as Australia faces an increasingly complex threat environment.

“Protective security is becoming increasingly important as organisations navigate a more complex threat environment spanning cyber security, information security and workforce resilience,” Rai said.

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“This project brings together leading expertise from industry, research and Defence to develop practical, defence-relevant outcomes that can strengthen resilience across Defence and critical infrastructure sectors.”

“Importantly, it will help build sovereign capability in South Australia while creating knowledge and insights that can be shared more broadly across Australia’s defence and security ecosystem,” she said.

The project builds on South Australia’s existing defence and innovation ecosystem, including the state’s Innovation Places Framework, Lot Fourteen, the Australian Defence Training Academy and Defence SA’s cyber security uplift program supporting defence industry.

Aus3C chief executive officer Guy Roberts said future security challenges require a coordinated approach across government, industry and research institutions.

“Future security challenges do not respect organisational boundaries. Building resilient ecosystems requires industry, universities, government agencies and Defence stakeholders to work together to understand emerging risks and develop practical, scalable solutions,” Roberts said.

“South Australia has a unique concentration of expertise across defence, research, critical technologies and cyber security. This project brings those capabilities together to help inform the next generation of protective security approaches.”

The initiative reflects a broader shift in Australia’s approach to national resilience, recognising that protecting defence capability and critical infrastructure requires more than traditional security measures.

As cyber threats, insider risks, information warfare and supply chain vulnerabilities become increasingly intertwined, the ability to anticipate and respond to emerging threats will be critical to maintaining national security.

Through the development of practical tools, frameworks and capability roadmaps, the project aims to strengthen Australia’s protective security ecosystem while reinforcing South Australia’s role as a national hub for defence innovation and advanced technology.

The Defence Innovation Partnership is a collaborative initiative involving Defence SA, Defence Science and Technology Group, Flinders University and Adelaide University, supporting research, development and innovation aligned with Australia’s defence priorities.

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.