Government to access security operations centre as-a-service

A new security operations centre as-a-service (SOCaaS) has been launched to help improve Australian Government agencies’ cybersecurity capabilities.

The centre, opened by Macquarie Government, is expected to provide “full cybersecurity coverage” — including 24/7 event monitoring and alert response — and will operate through a security information and management (SIEM) system that will allow the company to monitor workloads, events and compliance.

“Government agencies often struggle to attract strong security talent and they need these scarce resources focused on much more than monitoring,” Macquarie Government Managing Director Aidan Tudehope said.

“SOCaaS places that role in the hands of reliable professionals whose sole job is to manage it, freeing government resources to focus on other security tasks.”

The service will also provide a platform for graduates to gain experience responding to and solving “increasingly complex incidents”, through Macquarie’s existing graduate program.

“Building the right sovereign capabilities is vital both to our ability to hold ground in the war on cybercrime and remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy,” Tudehope said.

“A report by the ABS earlier this year highlighted Australia’s digital economy has grown by $14 billion under the current government.”

The new service comes on the back of Australia’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy. In its discussion paper, the Department of Home Affairs highlights it receives regular “feedback about a cybersecurity skills gap in Australia”.

“All government agencies need to be exemplars in taking a holistic approach to cybersecurity and building the right skills for our future,” Tudehope said.

“We look forward to working with the government on the new strategy and continuing to play our part through our newly enhanced graduate program and our cybersecurity scholarship with Western Sydney University (WSU).”

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