A new chapter for cyber in Australia
As I reflect on AustCyber’s journey over the past seven years, I’m filled with a great sense of pride and excitement for the future. When we initiated the merger with AustCyber back in 2021, we saw an incredible opportunity to further Stone & Chalk’s mission of transforming Australia into a sustainable, technology-driven economy.
For those who don’t know, AustCyber was founded as an Industry Growth Centre, funded by the Australian Government to support the development of a vibrant and globally competitive Australian cyber security sector.
In its early days, AustCyber truly was the ambassador, champion and central driving force behind this then-nascent, but critically important, sector. Since then, AustCyber has supported numerous startups and scaleups, driving innovation and change.
Over the years, AustCyber has:
- Worked to align and scale Australian cyber security research and innovation-related activities across the private sector, research communities, academia and within Australian governments;
- Maintained a strong supply of innovative Australian cyber security solutions and capability by working collaboratively in support of other government initiatives related to Australia’s cyber security readiness and resilience; and
- Worked internationally with various partners to develop export pathways for Australian solutions and capabilities.
Notably, AustCyber established the $15 million Projects Fund, produced six editions of Australia’s Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan, and established the National Network of Nodes; Australian Cyber Week, AUCyberscape and AUCyberExplorer.
We should celebrate the impact of this work and the many individuals who made vital contributions as AustCyber ambassadors and supporters.
When the opportunity arose to merge AustCyber’s efforts with Stone & Chalk, it was a natural evolution, recognising that for the cyber industry to truly realise its potential, it needed to be underpinned by the prosperity of our entire technology economy. We saw how the future success of cyber was inextricably linked to bolstering innovation across all sectors.
As of 1 July 1 2024, we will open a new chapter for cyber in Australia. AustCyber will complete its transition from being a government-funded Industry Growth Centre to becoming fully integrated under the ‘Stone & Chalk Cyber’ umbrella. This final step marks the successful culmination of the merger we embarked on years ago.
While we will retire some legacy AustCyber activities, Stone & Chalk will continue to support initiatives related to workforce development, growth challenges and national competitiveness. We will also act as an independent voice and advocate for the Australian cyber industry.
With over 6,000 innovators across 12 industry sectors raising over $1 billion at Stone & Chalk, and cyber being one of our fastest-growing industries, we are excited to double down and provide cyber security innovators with access to new opportunities across our wider entrepreneurial community.
There is still much work to be done, but the foundations have been laid. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to AustCyber’s journey – your passion and dedication have built a valuable legacy that we have the honour of carrying forward.
While this chapter closes, an exciting new one begins as we continue our mission to make Australia a global cyber innovation leader.
Chris Kirk CEO of Stone & Chalk Group
