Queensland to get three AustCyber innovation nodes

The Queensland Government will collaborate with AustCyber to open three new cybersecurity innovation nodes across the state as part a plan to strengthen the Queensland cyber economy.

The new innovation nodes will be established in Brisbane, Townsville and the Sunshine Coast with the participation of the Townsville and Sunshine Coast councils.

The three innovation nodes will focus on the areas of defence, advanced manufacturing, health and education.

Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the new nodes are expected to play a key role in helping bolster the Australian cybersecurity industry.

“As the world becomes more digital, particularly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, cybersecurity technology has never been more important or in demand. We want our local businesses to be in a position to capitalise on that,” she said.

Queensland will be the first state to establish three separate nodes, according to AustCyber CEO Michelle Price.

“We are excited to have Queensland join our national network and in such a big way,” she said.

“The establishment of three locations enables the node managers to work together across Queensland, leveraging a number of local cyber capability strengths, connect with other nodes around Australia, and bolster the value and impact of our national network.”

But AustCyber already has innovation nodes across the country focused on specific industry sectors. In Western Australia this focus is on mining, oil and gas services and agritech, while in South Australia the focus is on defence, autonomous systems and the space industry.

In Tasmania the focus is smart cities, IoT and marine technology, in Canberra the focus is on the education and research sector, defence and renewable energy, and in NSW the nodes are centred on Industry 4.0, digitisation, cyber workforce development and financial services. Nodes are now being established in Victoria.

Price said the initiative is one of a number of measures AustCyber is taking to help Australian cybersecurity companies survive and thrive in the post-COVID economy.

These will include the opening of more innovation nodes across the country, additional targeted assistance for companies in need of support during the crisis, and the publication of an upcoming report highlighting the impact of the cybersecurity industry to Australia’s economy.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Idroslab