AustCyber, the former government-funded cybersecurity Industry Growth Centre, has shed its ties with startup incubator Stone and Chalk and been reborn as the Australian Cyber Network.
Launched on Wednesday, the new not-for-profit will be led by former AustCyber executives Linda Cavanagh and Jason Murrell, who devised the Australian Cyber Network (ACN) together over the last year.
The cyber industry group will advocate on behalf of the cyber security industry, offer its startup and scaleup members business advisory services, and engage with vulnerable sectors to improve cyber security.
When Industry Growth Program launched in 2017, it was intended that entities eventually become privately funded, with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and Food Innovation Australia now running as independent entities.
MTPConnect will complete its transition at the end of this year, while National Energy Resources Australia and METS Ignited have both shut down.
AustCyber was acquired by Stone and Chalk in February 2021, a move aimed at building a life for the growth centre when government funding stopped.
Federal funding for AustCyber ceased flowing at the end of June 2022 and officially folded in June 2024.
Ms Cavanagh, who will lead ACN as chief executive, said that splitting the ACN out as a not-for-profit enables it “to provide that independent voice to government that doesn’t have vested interests, whether they be commercial, political or otherwise”.
She said there is no longer any legal connection with Stone and Chalk, with remaining assets like the the AUCyberExplorer job market data tracker and the AUCyberspace industry database released from its and transferred to ACN.
The industry group also plans to release an annual ‘state of the industry’ report that outlines the industry’s composition and growth and evaluates the delivery of the Australian Cyber Security Strategy.
Ms Cavanagh told InnovationAus.com that the last six months have been spent establishing the network and developing the benefits of membership.
Startups will be able to access business advisory services for a “nominal annual membership” whereas larger organisations will have to pay more.
As the network begins recruiting members, the group will provide business advisory services to help tech-focused founders with areas beyond their expertise like human resources, finance, corporate governance frameworks and the requirements of different export markets.
The second phase of the network will eventually build a “trusted advisory network”, a database of specialised member services such as accountants, legal services and human resources or industrial relations services.
Mr Murrell, who will chair ACN, said the “transition from AustCyber to the [ACN] is about more than just a name change”.
“The ACN will also act as a bridge between Australian industry and global cyber security initiatives, ensuring Australia plays a leading role in shaping international cyber standards and solutions.”
The Albanese government’s special envoy for cyber security and digital resilience Andrew Charlton said ACN “marks a new era of collaboration between government and industry to build the digital defences our businesses and communities need”.
Mr Charlton will attend the launch of the industry group alongside National Cyber Security Coordinator Lieutenant General Michelle McGuiness at Parliament House on Wednesday.
Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.