Cybersecurity has been reinforced by the Morrison Government with the launching of the Industry Competitive Evaluation Research Agreement (ICERA). As part of a new industry engagement initiative, over 12 small-to-medium businesses were awarded up to $3.6 million in contracts to improve their cybersecurity capabilities.
“ICERA recognises the growing importance and capability of Australian small-to-medium businesses and nowhere is this clearer than in the cybersecurity domain,” Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said.
The Industry Competitive Evaluation Research Agreement (ICERA) was launched in August of last year to support small-to-medium businesses to enhance the country’s tactical and strategic edge and evolve its strategic context. The program is funded through Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF).
The ICERA contracts will provide $36 million over six years for Australian small-to-medium businesses, and the $3.6 million that was announced recently are the first round of contracts that were awarded.
Six of the 22 successful contracts focused on creating innovative cybersecurity capabilities, with some of the research projects covering Enhanced Human Performance, Integrated ISR, Quantum Technologies and Advanced Sensors.
“I am particularly pleased to announce that two of these initial partnerships are with businesses new to Defence,” Minister Price said.
The Government revealed that the following 12 ICERA partners are set to receive up to $300,000 each for their projects:
CYBERSECURITY
- Breakaway Consulting Pty Ltd, NSW
- InfoSect, ACT
- Insight Via Artificial Intelligence, SA
- Jaywick Group Pty Ltd, NSW
- Mentum Systems, ACT
- Spinlock Security, NSW
ADVANCED SENSORS
- Critus, NSW
ENHANCED HUMAN PERFORMANCE
- Quantitative, NSW
- Biosensis, SA
INTEGRATED INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE & RECONNAISSANCE
- Fivecast Pty Ltd, SA
- Safran Electronics & Defence Australasia Pty Ltd (SEDA), NSW
QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES
- Cryoclock, SA
The remaining outcomes for the first round of the program will be announced after the arrangements are finalised.