The Canberra Cyber Hub appointed its inaugural board of directors; they will make Canberra the cyber capital of Australia.
Dr Michael Frater, an electrical engineering expert and former rector of UNSW Canberra, was appointed interim chair. He has been a driving force behind the Canberra Cyber Hub.
“Canberra has a thriving, innovative cyber security ecosystem,” Dr Frater said. “The establishment of the Canberra Cyber Hub will drive further growth in this important sector of our community through developing the skilled workforce, driving engagement between industry and researchers, and accelerating the growth of small to medium businesses. It is a very exciting step for our city.”
Michelle Melbourne and Air-Vice Marshal Neil Hart (retired) were appointed interim directors of the board.
Ms Melbourne is an experienced leader in the technology industry and mentor to emerging businesses.
“Canberra is a world class hotbed of clever cyber experts building teams and companies and undertaking research solving some of the biggest data and information security issues facing us right now,” she said. “The Canberra Cyber Hub will discover, embrace, and amplify these conditions to grow Canberra’s cyber capability, workforce, and reputation.”
Air Vice-Marshal Hart is former deputy chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, and experienced in cyber security.
“Cyber is no longer just the realm of specialist organisations and experts, it touches all business endeavours and the entire community,” he said. “The Canberra Cyber Hub will play a critical role in supporting the Canberra region’s understanding, capabilities, and capacity to thrive in an always connected environment, with a great opportunity to leverage the deep national expertise in cyber that is resident locally.”
The Interim chair and directors will establish the Canberra Cyber Hub as a limited company, and operate the company until the first Annual General Meeting.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the interim chair and directors were “well qualified to establish the culture and values of the Hub, and set it on a path to success”.
Since the Canberra Cyber Hub was announced in April, more than 20 businesses have completed the Cyber Security Business Accelerator program run by the Canberra Innovation Network, helping local cyber businesses to find new markets.
An online education portal will be ready early in 2022, promoting career opportunities in cyber, and linking prospective students with universities, CIT, and other training providers.
Cyber security is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Australian economy, Mr Barr said. Nationally, the sector employs 19,475 people, and it generated $15.7 billion in in 2019-20.
“The Australian Government’s $1.67 billion investment in cyber security, the growing global demand for cyber security, and workforce shortage create significant opportunities for Canberra to capitalise on,” Mr Barr said.
“Our cyber security ecosystem is already one of Canberra’s competitive advantages, and the Canberra Cyber Hub will benefit the sector and our economy by creating an environment where cyber businesses have the best opportunity to thrive.”
