New Bathurst cyber security centre launched

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Centre was a key step towards strengthening the NSW Government’s cyber security capabilities following last week’s record $240 million cyber security investment.

“The Cyber Security Vulnerability Management Centre will provide the NSW Government with an increased awareness of vulnerabilities in internet-facing services and assets,” Mr Dominello said.

“It will deliver a vital, sector-wide risk management capability and is critical to ensuring enhanced monitoring of at-risk government systems, as well as early identification and remediation of known vulnerabilities.

“Early detection of vulnerabilities and the ability to report them to the relevant agencies and departments is essential to improving our cyber security.”

The Centre will become operational in July and is a significant boost to regional development and employment.

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said this was another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to investing into regional NSW, creating jobs and keeping money in local economies.

“This new centre is the first of its kind in the State, and not only will it create eight local jobs straight away, but it will also bring skilled workers to the region to further promote cyber employment opportunities in regional NSW,” Mr Toole said.

“The NSW Government is committed to expanding cyber security knowledge and capability across regional areas that simultaneously provides increased assurance for NSW’s digital services.

“With many people working remotely or in isolation during the evolving Coronavirus situation, there’s never been a more important time to prioritise cyber security, and this new centre in our own backyard is only just the start.”

The Vulnerability Management Centre will provide on-going and automated vulnerability scanning across departments and agencies, and as capability develops, other services will be introduced.

The Centre will also see Cyber Security NSW work in partnership with UpGuard, an Australian cybersecurity start-up, to provide the NSW Government with greater capabilities to detect and manage internet-facing vulnerabilities and data breaches.