The Andrews Labor Government today signed a landmark agreement that will see Oxford University’s world leading Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC) establish its first ever international office in Melbourne.
Small Business, Innovation and Trade Minister Phillip Dalidakis signed the agreement in the United Kingdom today 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’s GCSCC is a global leader in cyber security and carries out audits of national cyber security risks and capabilities that help countries to plan investments and strategies to improve their digital security.
The GCSCC office will be co-located with a new Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC), which was also announced today. The centre is being set up with support from the Government and will bring together eight Victorian universities, the Melbourne-based Defence Science Institute and major private sector partners.
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, set to be established in the first half of 2016, will create new high-skill jobs for Victorians and will play a critical role safeguarding Australia’s growing digital economy.
Mr Dalidakis announced an additional memorandum of understanding today between the Government and Data61, the digital research arm of the CSIRO, to move their lead national cyber security centre to Melbourne. This centre will be a central part of a national network of Data61 capabilities, feeding into the nation's cyber security strategy.
These investments also follow moves to Victoria by a growing list of tech companies including the country’s National Broadband Network (NBN), who recently announced they would be establishing their national Cyber Security Operations Centre in Victoria with 700 new jobs over the next five years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
"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."
“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.”
“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.”
Quotes attributable to Director of the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre Professor Sadie Creese
“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.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021