CYBER
May 2021 Defence Business
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Funding Flows to Cyber Innovation In mid-April, six of the 12 ICERA contracts that were announced were focused on creating innovative cyber security capabilities. Industry Competitive Evaluation Research Agreement (ICERA) is an industry engagement initiative. The ICERA contracts will provide $36 million over six
Aircraftwoman Lauren Campbell (left) with Corporal Natalie Ekonomopoulos in a communications cabinet for cyber research and development systems at No. 462 Squadron.
years, funded through Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF). It aims to support smallto-medium businesses that are critical to enhancing Australia’s tactical and strategic edge as the nation’s strategic context continues to evolve.
The percentage of businesses missing out on Defence work due to insufficient security measures has already prompted Defence to focus on providing support to
Assess Your Cyber Security – Online Tool An average of over 160 cyber security incidents are
SME Security Gap
applicants to improve their cyber security.
About 40 per cent of businesses that apply to win
Over the past year Defence has helped more than 600
Defence work have insufficient cyber security measures
companies improve their security through the Defence
to meet Defence’s standards.
Industry Security Program (DISP).
The Government has joined forces with Australia’s
The DISP supports Australian businesses to understand
defence industry to develop a ‘go-to’ guide for small
and meet their security obligations when engaging in
cyber secure their business is and what they can do to
businesses on how to improve their security practices
Defence projects, contracts and tenders.
make it more cyber secure. The tool is designed to:
to help them win Defence work. The Working Securely
Defence currently has more than 230 companies in
• identify your business' cyber security strengths
with Defence guide is designed to help industry
the program.
• understand areas where your business can improve
overcome those issues to become ‘Defence-ready’,
The Working Securely with Defence guide can be
• know how to improve your cyber security and where
in turn supporting the Government’s $270 billion
accessed from the Defence: https://www1.defence.gov.
investment in Defence capability over the next decade.
au/security/industry
reported daily to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). The Australian Government has developed a Cyber Security Assessment Tool to help businesses check how
to find help It can be accessed via www.business.gov.au
Engineer. Manufacture. Sustain. A better future. Together.
Sovereign Defence Partner Victoria, Australia marand.com.au
