Australian Cyber Week 2020 showcases vibrant, growing sector
Today, the Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, The Hon Karen Andrews MP, launched the fourth annual Australian Cyber Week, a week-long series of events and activities nationally coordinated by AustCyber – the Australian Cyber Security Growth Network.
The official launch event, featuring Minister Andrews, Innes Willox of the Australian Industry Group, Chris Painter of the Global Forum on Cybersecurity Expertise, industry heavyweight David Thodey and AustCyber’s CEO Michelle Price, will highlight the shift to digital through the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is accelerating the economy – a theme that will be explored further throughout the week through almost 30 events spanning the full breadth of the cyber security landscape for those within the sector, but also well beyond.
Held from 26-30 October, Australian Cyber Week 2020 provides opportunities for Australian cyber security and related organisations to showcase their capabilities and network with peers, potential investors and customers. It also provides an excellent way for cyber curious individuals and organisations to better understand what cyber security can do and mean for them.
“Cyber Week 2020 is one of AustCyber’s key programs under our mission to grow a globally competitive cyber security sector,” said Michelle Price, CEO of AustCyber. “The events during Australia’s Cyber Week connect Australian cyber capabilities with key domestic and international stakeholders who are contributing to the growth and success of the sector and creates further opportunities to enhance future economic growth.”
Australian Cyber Week has traditionally featured in-person events and activities at various locations across Australia. In 2020, AustCyber is debuting a new virtual conference platform which features 100% Australian technology. The 3D ‘circuit board city’ is the gateway to daily live events, a networking hub and exhibition hall showcasing booths which feature sovereign products and services. Online events will be complemented by in-person events in South Australia and Western Australia, facilitated through AustCyber’s National Network of Cyber Security Innovation Nodes.
“Each day, Australian Cyber Week has a feature event to demonstrate our globally completive cyber security ecosystem,” said Ms. Price. “The range of speakers is broad – ranging from CEOs of large corporates and venture capital investors, to ethical hackers, school students with a keen interest in cyber, and those with disabilities working within the sector.”
Later today, AustCyber in partnership with Cynch Security, Deakin University and RMIT University, will explore small business attitudes towards cyber security. While small businesses have had to fight for survival during the COVID-19 crisis, the unprecedented period of digital adoption has left many exposed to threats they are unprepared for. As Australia looks towards the future again, there has never been a more important time than now to understand the challenges this sector faces. This event will provide paths forward for building cyber fitness in the most vulnerable businesses.
AustCyber has partnered with CISO Lens and cyber security accelerator CyRise to host Sky’s the Limit on Tuesday 27 October. This event will feature ten Australian cyber security companies delivering short pitches to executives from ASX listed companies from key Australian sectors including advanced manufacturing, health, consumer services, mining and financial services.
To underline the importance of digital trust in keeping our digital activity secure and resilient, during an event on 28 October, AustCyber will simulate a significant cyber-attack on Australia through a hypothetical situation. Experts from the Australian Energy Market, Siemens Digital Industries Australia, TOLL Group and cohealth come together to examine the impact on critical infrastructure, crucial parts of our society and how it would impact almost all of us.
The National Missing Persons Hackathon 2020, held on 29 October, is one of the most innovative events to be held in Australia this year and is being held in partnership with the Australian Federal Police, National Missing Persons Coordination Centre and Trace Labs.
This event will see the gathering of ethical hackers and investigators using online investigative techniques within the bounds of the law to find new leads on 12 real missing persons cases in Australia. Contestants will be using their cyber skills to gather open source intelligence (OSINT) on long-term and current missing persons using only information that is publicly available on the internet. The goal of this is to generate new leads on cases that can aid the relevant Australian policing jurisdictions in their investigations.
“We are excited to be returning for 2020 and going virtual for the first time,” said Linda Cavanagh, National Network Lead at AustCyber and Founder of the National Missing Persons Hackathon. “Theoretical concepts are put aside so participants can operate in real time, with real data, for real human impact. Imagine the possibility of a missing person case being solved by the community using crowdsourced cyber skills! Helping close a case would be a great result and show the value and power of OSINT.”
