Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), is offering free R&D Cyber Security training for SMEs. Applications for the next Cyber Security intake are open until Monday 11 July 2022, with the program commencing 26 July 2022.
Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security is a free 10-week program for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to further their R&D opportunities related to cyber security solutions. Applications for the next intake are open until Monday 11 July, with the program commencing 26 July 2022. Apply here.
The Innovate to Grow program is a self-paced and virtually-delivered program to boost innovation performance of SMEs in high priority sectors.
The course will provide tools and information to help you better understand what’s involved with R&D and key things you need to consider at each step of the process. You’ll be able to apply this knowledge to advance your innovation journey.
This program is specifically aimed at companies currently working and innovating in the cyber security sector. It is not a general course for those who would like to learn more about cyber security.
Dr George Feast, who leads the agency’s SME collaboration work, said the risk of cybersecurity attacks had increased following the COVID-19 pandemic. This view is backed by data from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), which shows annual cybercrime reports in 2020-21 increased by 13%.
“Just like many other parts of the world, Australia’s dependence on the internet saw a big increase during the pandemic, with many services moving online and more people working from home than ever before,” Dr Feast said.
“To stay ahead of these cyber attacks, new solutions are required, and much of this is driven by SMEs developing new products and services through R&D.”
The CSIRO hopes its 10-week training will boost the number of SMEs wanting to test their commercial idea and collaborate with more R&D groups.
Up to 25 SME graduates of the training will be given a chance to connect with the CSIRO’s digital and data specialist arm Data61, along with dollar-matched R&D funding.
“Participants will be given help to refine a new idea they want to explore and to better understand their idea’s business and scientific viability.
“They will also be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts, and work with an R&D mentor,” Feast said.
While SMEs comprise an overwhelming majority of all businesses in Australia (99.8%), Feast noted the cost of R&D meant it was an expensive risk for this cohort without the right guidance and support.
Last year the national science agency released research showing that less than 15% of Australian businesses engage universities or research institutions for their innovation activities.
The ‘Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security’ training will start on July 26. If your organisation would like to apply here: https://bit.ly/csiro-cyber-security-rnd-training