Data61 cyber security hub opens its doors

The Data61 Cyber Security and Innovation Hub has formally launched in Melbourne.

The Victorian government said that hub would create 140 jobs over the next three years.

“Aside from bringing together our own Victorian based workforce, this new facility will also provide a dedicated space for Data61 to deepen its key relationships within the cyber security ecosystem, and we’re excited to welcome Australia Post, Optus and PwC as our first wave of industry partners,” Data61 CEO Adrian Turner said in a statement.

The federal government has announced that Turner will be a co-chair of its $30 million Cyber Security Growth Centre.

Data61 was created through a fusion of the CSIRO Digital Productivity Team and NICTA.

“Optus Business is highly supportive of the national cyber security agenda and committed to partnering with government, industry and academia to develop an integrated cyber security innovation ecosystem through initiatives like Data61’s Cyber Security and Innovation Hub,” said Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis.

“By partnering with the CSIRO, Optus Business continues to be at the forefront of driving leading edge managed cyber security services for Australia’s enterprises and governments.”

The new hub will be based in the Docklands’ Goods Shed — which will also house an offshoot of Oxford University’s Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC) and Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC), which brings together eight Victorian universities, the Defence Science Institute and private sector partners.

The state government announced late last year that the GCSCC and OCSC would be co-located in Melbourne.

NBN is also planning to establish a cyber security operations centre in Melbourne.