Western Australia’s first whole-of-government Cyber Security Operations Centre launched

  • McGowan Government to establish first of its kind Cyber Security Operations Centre
  • Operations centre to be funded through $1.8 million State Budget allocation
  • Centre will help combat the increased level of malicious cyber activity seen during COVID-19
  • Will be managed by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s Office of Digital Government
  • Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly today announced $1.8 million of funding in the upcoming State Budget for the establishment of the State Government’s new Cyber Security Operations Centre.

    The new whole-of-government Cyber Security Operations Centre will significantly improve visibility of the cyber threats against agencies’ networks and the Government’s capability to detect and respond to cyber security incidents.

    The new operations centre will support existing complementary efforts to improve cyber security resilience across government. It will also expand and complement the existing dedicated cyber security team within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s Office of Digital Government.

    Staff in the new operations centre will be trained cyber security professionals, with the centre also offering further avenues of work and training for cyber security TAFE and university students participating in the Office of Digital Government’s work integrated learning program.

    The Office of Digital Government will today open applications for the recruitment of a whole‑of‑government pool of cyber security experts. 

    Successful applicants will be placed in the Cyber Security Operations Centre team, another team within the Office of Digital Government’s Cyber Security Unit or in other public sector agencies. 

    To apply, visit https://www.jobs.wa.gov.au

    As stated by Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly:

    “Today’s launch of the whole-of-government Cyber Security Operations Centre is a first for Western Australia, and the first of its kind in Australia.

    “During COVID-19 we’ve seen a rise in malicious cyber activity in terms of frequency, scale and sophistication.

    “The McGowan Government is committed to building the cyber security capability within the State Government, the community and industry. 

    “The new operations centre will provide unprecedented visibility of threats against agencies’ networks, as well as improve the State Government’s ability to co-ordinate and respond to cyber security threats against our systems.

    “The Cyber Security Operations Centre will create further jobs and opportunities for cyber security professionals in WA.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.