Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Edith Cowan University in my electorate has been named, today, as an academic centre of cybersecurity excellence by the minister for education and the minister for cyber security. The federal government is delivering $1.9 million in funding over the next four years to Edith Cowan University and the University of Melbourne to further cybersecurity research and develop expertise in combating online threats. The centres will encourage the commercialisation of cybersecurity research in the interests of our economic and national security and prepare graduates for the workforce. A key element of the government's $230 million cybersecurity strategy is to ensure that Australia has sufficient highly skilled and capable professionals to keep it safe.

It is estimated that, globally, there will be a shortage of up to 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals by 2020—just three years away. The Australian cybersecurity industry is predicted to triple in size over the next 10 years, offering excellent career prospects for information technology professionals. Currently, up to 20 per cent of jobs in the sector within Australia are unfilled due to a shortage of suitably qualified professionals. ECU has established its reputation as a leader in cybersecurity research, producing more than 1,000 graduates from its undergraduate cybersecurity program since 2001. The Security Research Institute based at ECU is one of the leading cybersecurity and digital forensic groups in the world, and it is also recognised for its expertise in human, physical and aviation security. The institute, led by Professor Craig Valli, consistently delivers quality outcomes in computer and digital forensics, network and wireless security, information warfare, physical security and risk management. The institute was recognised by the Australian Computer Society as the centre of expertise in security. The group's other achievements include a digital forensics tool developed with the WA Police to assist with cybercrime, preliminary crime scene investigation, disaster victim identification and evidence tracking.

I acknowledge the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman, and the Executive Dean of the School of Science, Professor Andrew Woodward, in expanding the university's focus on cybersecurity research. In our digital world we have witnessed the impact of cyberthreats and security breaches of vital computer networks, so I am pleased to support the additional funding for ECU's locally based Academic Centre of Cyber Security Excellence.

Sharon Bird (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Vocational Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member. In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded.