RMIT and AWS to open new Cloud Innovation Centre

A new Cloud Innovation Centre is set to open at RMIT University to help tackle global cyber challenges and close skills gaps.

The Amazon Web Services (AWS)-backed centre will see students, researchers, government and subject matter experts work together to develop prototypes that address cyber policy, training, security and control issues while enhancing information security awareness, literacy and enablement, according to RMIT.

The prototypes will be released publicly for the global community to access, the university said.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President Martin Bean CBE said the university is “delighted the Cloud Innovation Centre will develop in-demand skills to tackle real-world problems, and most importantly, deliver proactive solutions to protect Australians and the global community”.

Cybercrime affected one in three Australian adults last year, with cybersecurity incidents costing Australian businesses up to $29 billion every year, according to the Australian Government’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy discussion paper.

Already, the Australian Cyber Security Growth Network (ACSGN) believes Australia could be short 2300 cybersecurity workers and by 2026, it could take up to 17,600 additional workers to fill the cybersecurity skills gap and allow the sector to reach its potential, ACSGN said in its Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan.

AWS Country Director for Public Sector, Australia and New Zealand Iain Rouse said the centre’s development would enhance the company’s long-term collaboration with RMIT, helping boost Australia’s cybersecurity capability and addressing this skills shortage.

“Our experience in accelerating digital innovation through the global AWS Cloud Innovation Centre program will help the community deliver innovative projects to tackle cybersecurity challenges in Australia and around the world,” he said.

The centre is expected to launch by mid-2020, RMIT said.

It will join a global network of Cloud Innovation Centres dedicated to accelerating public sector innovation, powered by AWS, which include California Polytechnic State University Digital Transformation Hub, Arizona State University Smart City CIC, Munich University of Applied Sciences (MUAS) Digital Transformation Lab, CODE University of Applied Sciences Better Future Lab, Sciences Po School of Public Affairs Public Innovation Lab, Busan Metropolitan City CIC, Swinburne University of Technology Data for Social Good CIC, as well as University of British Columbia Community Health and Well-Being CIC.

Pictured, left to right: AWS Regional Managing Director – Public Sector Peter Moore; RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President Martin Bean CBE; RMIT Online CEO Helen Souness; AWS Cloud Innovation Centre Global Lead Ben Butler; AWS Country Director for Public Sector, Australia and New Zealand Iain Rouse. Courtesy: RMIT University