With cybercrime numbers souring across the world, cyber security is not only needed for the big corporates of the world. Small business is not only at risk from cyber security, it is also an easy target. Many small businesses have very little or no knowledge (or protection for that matter) of cybercrime and attacks.
To help educate businesses and students in Western Sydney, the Federal Government has announced a $745,920 funding package for Western Sydney University. This funding is to establish what is to be called the ‘Cybersecurity Aid Centre’. Funded through the Cyber Security Business Connect and Protect Grants Program, this centre will train and support small business with Cyber Incident Response.
The ‘Cybersecurity Aid Centre’ will be located in Parramatta and headed by Western Sydney University in partnership with four leading New South Wales cybersecurity businesses: Emergence, Gridware, DCEncompass and Secolve.
Providing Cyber Incident Response support for small businesses experiencing data breach, ransomware or email business compromise is one part of the offering from the centre. They will also host training seminars around the State of NSW and they are launching a hotline. The Cyber Suite and Toolkit for Small Businesses is a hotline set up to assist with cybersecurity incidents and will integrate applied support with learning and skills development for Western Sydney University students.
The Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne praised the initiative.
“The ‘Cybersecurity Aid Centre’ will enhance business’ security and cyber capabilities which will help ensure Western Sydney’s strong economic prosperity and development continues as we come back from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Payne said.
“This latest investment is part of the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 and complements our $1.2 billion Digital Economy Strategy, which will be part of this year’s Federal Budget 2021-22.”
The CEO of Secolve, Laith Shahin commended the partnership and said “Using industry expertise to upskill students is one of the most effective methods of combatting the growing incidence of cybercrime, and to raise awareness among business of the resources available to assist them in mitigating and preventing cyberattacks.”
The project lead, Professor Alana Maurushat, from the University’s School of Social Sciences and School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, knows the importance of this project and said the Centre will deliver new programs to upskill small and medium enterprises and students with the latest skills in the technology and psychology of cybercrime.
“Tackling cybercrime is a high priority. Businesses need a resource centre that will help them when a cybersecurity crisis arises, as well as help to build resilience and awareness around cybercrime and the kinds of behaviours, technologies and change management practices they need to adopt to protect themselves,” Professor Maurushat said.
“The Centre will enhance cybersecurity knowledge and capacity across Western Sydney, and will provide a robust hub for industry and students to connect and learn from each other.”
To find out more about Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy click here
Source: Western Sydney University
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