Australian Cyber Network officially launched

The Australian Cyber Network (ACN), a new not-for-profit organisation, has been officially launched today at Parliament House, Canberra. The ACN has been established to address the current and future needs of the cybersecurity industry by focusing on advocacy, capability building, and education.

Over 94,000 cybercrime incidents were reported in Australia last financial year. This is equivalent to one every six minutes, with the Australian Signals Directorate contacting businesses 620 times during this period to warn of potential threats. Of these calls, 280 went unanswered. Something clearly needs to change in the way we tackle cybersecurity in Australia.

“Cybercrime is the most significant shift in criminal activity since the handgun, and yet we are still operating without the basic safety infrastructure in the digital world that protects us in the physical one. The launch of the Australian Cyber Network marks a new era of collaboration between government and industry to build the digital defences our businesses and communities need,” said Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience.

Building on the success of AustCyber, which helped facilitate the establishment of over 300 companies and helped grow the cyber workforce to over 120,000 professionals, the CAN says its focus is on tackling today’s cybersecurity challenges. These include maturing the industry, shaping policy, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that often lack the resources to defend against evolving cyberthreats.

“We need a voice for industry, by industry, to drive the future of cybersecurity in Australia,” said Linda Cavanagh, Co-founder and CEO of the Australian Cyber Network. “It’s critical that we not only support the industry of today but the next generation of innovation in Australian cybersecurity technology.”

“The transition from AustCyber to the Australian Cyber Network is about more than just a name change. The ACN will also act as a bridge between Australian industry and global cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring Australia plays a leading role in shaping international cyber standards and solutions,” said Jason Murrell, Co-founder and Chair of ACN. “We’re not just shaping policy, we’re helping shape careers and the future of the cybersecurity workforce in Australia.”

The launch event held at Parliament House in Canberra today brought together key figures from government, industry and academia, including Charlton; Cavanagh and Murrell; and Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC, National Cyber Security Coordinator.

Unlike previous initiatives, ACN is uniquely positioned as a fully independent industry body, ensuring an unbiased approach to shaping the future of cybersecurity in Australia.

The ACN’s mission is built around four strategic pillars:

1. Maturity: Fostering the sustainable growth of Australia’s cybersecurity capabilities.
2. Advocacy: Providing an independent voice to influence cybersecurity policy.
3. Outreach: Engaging with vulnerable sectors and SMBs to improve their cyber resilience.
4. Insight: Driving evidence-based research to shape policy and workforce development.

“Our focus is on bringing together the best minds, from startups to established companies, to build a cybersecurity network that reflects the real challenges and opportunities in Australia,” Cavanagh added.

The support of SMBs is a core focus for ACN. SMBs, which make up over 90% of Australia’s economy, are particularly vulnerable to cyberthreats, with 65% of Australian SMBs experiencing a cyber incident in 2021. Annie Haggar, ACN Board Member, said: “SMBs are the backbone of the Australian economy, and many face significant cyberthreats but lack the resources to defend themselves. The ACN is committed to offering practical solutions, including cyber health checks, to help SMBs bolster their defences.”

To ensure transparency and ongoing impact, ACN will release an annual ‘State of the Industry’ report, a comprehensive picture of the industry’s composition and growth and an evaluation of the Australian Cyber Security Strategy’s progress. This will highlight areas of success and identify opportunities for further improvement, ensuring that Australia remains at the forefront of global cybersecurity efforts.

“We are driving a future where Australia is not just a participant in the global cybersecurity landscape, but a leader,” Murrell said. “In a sector that’s evolving rapidly, we need to constantly push for collaboration between industry, government and academia.”

The launch of the Australian Cyber Network signifies a new era of collaboration, innovation and commitment to safeguarding Australia’s digital future. ACN is set to bridge the gap between industry and government, ensuring that Australia’s cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve and thrive in the face of emerging threats.

Image credit: iStock.com/Blue Planet Studio