Defence to bolster cyber training capabilities

The federal government has provided more details of its planned $1.4 billion investment in improving Defence’s cyber capabilities over the next 20 years.

The commitment will include an initial investment of $575 million to support the development of a comprehensive training program to support the growth of the ADF cyber workforce, including virtual cyber training environments and tools.

The funding will also go towards constructing a purpose-built Joint Information Warfare Facility in the ACT which will offer critical Defence cyber training and simulation systems.

This facility will form part of a staged investment in efforts to develop the training, tools and infrastructure required to ensure the effectiveness of the ADF’s defensive cyber operations capability.

The lab will be structured in a way that it can provide direct opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to collaborate with Defence on innovative training and cyber tool solutions.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the Joint Project 9131 Defensive Cyberspace Operations project is designed to bolster Defence’s ability to respond to cyber threats to their networks and systems that have the potential to undermine their ability to operate.

“This project ensures Defence can actively defend its deployed networks and combat platforms against the rapidly evolving cyber threats. This investment builds on the government commitment that was made in the 2016 Defence White Paper to strengthen Defence’s cyber capability,” she said.

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