The University of Canberra has formed a new partnership with global technology company Cisco, a worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet, to improve Australia’s cybersecurity resilience and address the cybersecurity skills shortage.
“The University of Canberra is looking forward to working with Cisco and other industry and education partners to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing challenges related to cybersecurity, and digital adoption more broadly,” University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Paddy Nixon said.
The partnership will establish Innovation Central Canberra, a hub for industry and government to experiment with new cybersecurity technologies, develop prototypes, and de-risk the adoption process. The innovation centre is the sixth in a national network of Cisco innovation centres on university campuses.
A joint Research Chair in Critical Infrastructure and Defence will be created, focusing on applied research related to cybersecurity across several industries, including Defence.
The University of Canberra and Innovation Central Canberra will join the National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN), an alliance of companies and universities to realise digital opportunities that can benefit the lives of all Australians.
“Cisco’s investment in the National Industry Innovation Network is producing great results in areas as diverse as critical infrastructure, Net Zero, hybrid work, and accelerating digital transformation,” Cisco ANZ Vice President Ben Dawson said.
Cisco’s Networking Academy, a global IT and cybersecurity education program, will be expanded to the University of Canberra, which provides learning curricula for careers in technology, including cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity is a major challenge for us at every level, and certainly for industry, government, and universities,” Professor Nixon said. “Therefore, it is equally a major source of new jobs and innovation. There is enormous scope for Australia to improve its resilience against cyber attacks, including the use of advanced digital technologies.
“Improving Australia’s cyber resilience will require action on many fronts: industry-driven research, applied innovation, and a focus on meeting current and future demand for specialist skills.”
Mr Dawson described the partnership as “strategically important”.
“Cisco is committed and is investing in strategic partnerships with universities to accelerate the adoption of technology and address major risks to the Australian economy and society,” he said. “The focus on cybersecurity recognises that protection of data and infrastructure needs to be a national priority. It also acknowledges the important role that Canberra plays from a cybersecurity policy, skills, and operations perspective, including in Defence and national security.”
