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Australia’s cyber security apparatus and capabilities have been strengthened following the official opening of the Joint Cyber Security Centre (JCSC) in Adelaide on Friday.
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Defence Minister Christopher Pyne officially opened the JCSC and welcomed representatives from federal and state governments, the academic community and business, including critical defence and energy industries, in Adelaide on Friday.
The new facility expands the footprint of the government’s $47 million national Joint Cyber Security Program and Australia's Cyber Security Strategy. The JCSC is part of Australia’s lead cyber security agency, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), and its Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
"South Australia hosts some of the nation’s most important energy, infrastructure and defence assets," Minister Pyne said.
The centre will support bilateral partnerships with state and territory governments through an Australian Cyber Security Growth Network (AustCyber) Cyber Security Innovation Node located on the premises.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the partnership enhanced AustCyber’s goal of giving state and territory governments the remit and tools they needed to partner together and innovate in their own jurisdictions.
"AustCyber’s partnership with the Marshall government will help improve cyber defences, develop skills, grow jobs and increase Australia's export opportunities in the booming global cyber security market," Minister Andrews said.
The JCSC program is a partnership between business, government, academia and other key partners to enhance collaboration on cyber security.
JCSC is a central initiative of the Australian government’s Cyber Security Strategy to bring together business and the research community along with state, territory and Commonwealth agencies in an open and co-operative environment, with the following key objectives:
- Sensitive information, including actionable cyber threat intelligence, is shared quickly between and among partners;
- Solutions to cyber security risks and issues are developed through collaboration and without commercial bias;
- A common understanding of the cyber security environment and optimal mitigation options is achieved through sharing and analysis of incidents, threats and risks;
- Organisations – at all levels – have access to practical tools and resources to improve their cyber security; and
- Consistent education and awareness messages are promoted with and among partners.
Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton reiterated the importance of government and industry working together to protect Australian businesses and the community from the increasing threat of cyber crime, including interference from malicious actors and criminal groups.
ACSC is the Australian government’s lead on national cyber security. It brings together cyber security capabilities from across the Australian government to improve the cyber resilience of the Australian community and support the economic and social prosperity of Australia in the digital age.
"The ACSC’s continuing expansion supports this government’s national security agenda by giving Australians, be it small business owners and operators or large corporate and critical infrastructure companies, access to a broad range of services from cyber security experts around the country," Minister Dutton said.
In July 2018, the ACSC became part of the ASD, which became a statutory agency. Australian government cyber security expertise from CERT Australia and the Digital Transformation Agency moved into the ACSC.
These changes are part of the government's national security reform package to enhance the cyber security support and services the government provides to industry, government and the community.
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.
