CSIRO is tackling the growing threat of cyber attacks in Australia by providing free research and development support to businesses working in the cyber security sector. 

CSIRO’s Data 61 Group Leader Surya Nepal said cyber security attacks were a growing threat across the world impacting many different types of sectors. 

“Cyber criminals are constantly finding new ways to carry out cyber-attacks, which can have devastating impacts for companies and consumers,” Dr Nepal said. 

With CSIRO’s free, 10-week online Innovate to Grow program, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working on new cyber security solutions can have their ideas supported with research and development expertise. The program allows participants to access support, connect and research expertise nationally, along with dollar-matched R&D funding. 

“Through our Innovate to Grow program, we invite participants to come up with a specific cyber security commercial idea they’d like to explore. Over 10 weeks we’ll step businesses through how to refine their idea, to understand its research viability, and begin engaging a university or research institution to deliver a collaborative R&D project,” CSIRO’s SME Connect Deputy Director George Feast said. 

Businesses will also be able to tap into CSIRO’s own cyber security expertise through Data61, CSIRO’s data and digital specialist arm, and be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts, and work with an R&D mentor. 

Research released by CSIRO last year found that despite collaboration being key to driving strong R&D outcomes, less than 15 per cent of Australian businesses engage universities or research institutions for their innovation activities. 

“Our goal is to up that percentage,” Dr Feast said. 

Rezilens Operations Project Manager Corey Fraser, whose company helps make enterprise-level cybersecurity both affordable and accessible to Australian SMEs, completed the Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security program earlier this year. 

“This was essentially our first opportunity to pursue formal R&D, as we’re still fairly young – just under two years in operation,” Mr Fraser said. 

“What was really appealing for us through this program was the exposure to academics and NGOs in the security space, along with the associated benefit of learning from their industry expertise. And finding out about how we could access potential funding opportunities.”

Eligible companies can be working directly in cyber security or other industries that offer online solutions to their customers – such as agriculture and health – and want to improve the cyber security aspect of their offering. 

CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security program, commences on 1 December and is available for 20-25 SMEs.

This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund. 

Source: CSIRO media release. Content has been edited for style and length.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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