The McGowan Labor Government has unveiled new plans to help keep Western Australians safe and secure online with $25.5 million allocated to expand WA's cyber security services.
The significant increase in funding, via the McGowan Government's Digital Capability Fund, will ensure WA has world-class cyber capabilities in place to facilitate secure data exchanges between agencies and prevent, detect and respond to contemporary cyber threats and risks.
The $25.5m investment is also set to transform the Office of Digital Government's Cyber Security Unit into the largest dedicated cyber security team in Western Australia.
This includes the roll out of additional cyber security services across the WA Public Sector and establishes a new dedicated home for the Cyber Security Operations Centre. A range of recruitment pools for positions within the Cyber Security Unit are now open on jobs.wa.gov.au
The significant growth of cyber services offers technical and non-technical employment opportunities to WA's cyber security sector, and will also build skills across agencies to support their digital transformation journey.
As stated by Innovation and ICT Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring all Western Australians are safe and secure online.
"The $25.5m funding boost forms part of the McGowan Government's $500 million Digital Capability Fund, which was established to drive strategic and targeted investment in digital transformation across Western Australia.
"Cyber threats continue to evolve, and so by investing in our world-class Cyber Security Operations Centre, Western Australians can be assured important Government services they access will continue to be safe and their information will remain secure.
"The Office of Digital Government is leading and coordinating digital transformation across government to improve service delivery for all Western Australians.
"I encourage all qualified cyber security individuals to apply for these important roles within the State Government."
"The expansion of cyber services across the Public Sector will generate local jobs and entry-level opportunities for Western Australians looking to get into cyber security sector."
