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  • CSIRO has launched program to tackle the growing threat of cyber attacks by providing free research and development support to businesses in the cybersecurity sector
  • Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) working on new cyber security solutions can join the free 10-week online program to support their commercial idea
  • Once completed, participants will be able to access facilitation support to connect to research expertise nationally
  • CSIRO’s SME Collaboration Lead Dr George Feast said the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in cyber security attacks

Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has launched a program to tackle the growing threat of cyber attacks by providing free research and development support to businesses in the cybersecurity sector.

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) working on new cyber security solutions can join the free 10-week online program to support their commercial idea.

Once the program is completed, participants will be able to access facilitation support to connect to research expertise nationally.

CSIRO’s SME Collaboration Lead Dr George Feast said the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in cyber security attacks.

“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.

There was an annual increase of 13 per cent in cybercrime reports in the FY21 financial year, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

“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,” Dr Feast added.

“SMEs make up 99.8 per cent of all businesses in Australia. However, R&D can be an expensive undertaking for businesses and risky for those without the right guidance and support.”

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