Australian Cyber Security Research Centre appoints CEO

The Australian Cyber Security Research Centre (CSRC) has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer, Rachael Falk. A not-for-profit company dedicated to promoting industry investment in cybersecurity research and development, the CSRC will deliver an Australia-wide approach to responding to cyber threats and cybercrime.

Falk comes to CSRC with a strong commercial and cybersecurity background, having practised as a lawyer for 15 years both in law firms as well as in-house at Telstra, where she became general manager of cyber influence. More recently she has been a cybersecurity consultant. She is the co-author of the Five Knows of Cyber Security and is well known in cybersecurity for her unique and respected insights.

CSRC Chair David Irvine AO said, “Strong cybersecurity is a critical issue for our economy and for Australia’s prosperity. We are delighted to have Rachael as our Chief Executive. Not only does she bring a wealth of industry knowledge, she will ensure that CSRC collaborates with academia, industry and government to deliver industry-driven cybersecurity outcomes. We want our research and work to have an impact benefiting Australia both now and well into the future.”

Irvine acknowledged the hard work of Dr Darrell Williamson, who acted as interim CEO during the establishment phase of the CSRC. “Dr Williamson played a key role in bringing together the CRC’s 25 industry, academic and government partners.”

Irvine also acknowledged the strong support of the Australian Government, which will be contributing $50 million to a program valued in cash and in kind at $140 million over seven years. The Western Australian Government has provided substantial support for the CSRC initiative, along with the South Australian and NSW governments.

The Australian Government recognises cybersecurity as a top national security priority. The CSRC seeks to support the government’s focus on this growing problem by bringing together a collaborative network of researchers, universities, government and industry partners nationwide.

A key word in the concept of a CSRC (also known as the Cooperative Research Centre on Cyber Security) is cooperative. Initially the CSRC will bring together seven universities and research institutions, nine industry partners and nine government agencies. The participants are:

• Research institutions: Edith Cowan University, Adelaide University, Deakin University, Charles Sturt University, University of NSW, Queensland University of Technology and Data61 (a division of CSIRO).
• Industry: CISCO Systems, Singtel Optus, Jemena, ActewAGL Distribution, TATA Consultancy Services, Datacom Technical Security Services, PEN10 Services, Quintessencelabs and AARNet.
• Federal government: Department of Defence (Australian Signals Directorate), Attorney General’s Department (CERT Australia, Critical Infrastructure Centre), Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office, and the Australian Transaction Reports & Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
• State governments: Office of the Government Chief Information Office (WA), Canberra Data Centres (NSW Data Centres), NSW Department of Finance, Services & Innovation, and DefenceSA.

The CRC will also work closely with the government’s Cyber Security Growth Network (AustCyber) to help deliver innovation in cybersecurity and to foster a strong national cybersecurity sector.

The centre’s program will focus initially on two research themes: Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure and Cyber Security as a Service.

The CSRC expects further participants to emerge from Australia businesses and academic and research institutions, and for the industry-driven research program to expand further as it responds to cybersecurity needs identified by industry. The CSRC’s head office will be in Western Australia.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Jürgen Fälchle