A secure space designed to boost cybersecurity, data protection and defence technology has opened in a bid to attract skills and jobs to NSW.
The University of Technology in Sydney has opened the UTS Vault, built to comply with specifications from the Department of Defence.
It’s hoped it will boost NSW-led research and commercialisation in cybersecurity and defence technology.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government had committed $7.285 million to the creation of the futuristic-looking space.
“The UTS Vault is a valuable resource that is unique to NSW,” he said on Monday.
“It will strengthen our cybersecurity and defence technology capability, while reducing national sovereign risk and growing the state’s cybersecurity talent pipeline.”
It’s expected private sector tenants, academics and government will utilise the vault, where they will have access to the highly secure Australian Defence Network.
The Premier joked the entrance was through a phone booth, referencing the Tardis from Doctor Who, when explaining that many of the capabilities of the vault are confidential.
Science minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the vault was an excellent example of collaboration between government and industry.
“This demonstrates what we can do together, to ensure that ideas and innovation from small scale startups can actually use this facility, particularly in defence and cybersecurity, and growing the industry, growing opportunities for us,” he said.
UTS vice-chancellor Andrew Parfitt said the vault’s ability to safeguard intellectual property through the heightened security it offered was attractive to people working in the industry.
“In the race for highly skilled Australian jobs in a diverse range of sectors, defence, cyber, telecommunications, a facility like the UTS Vault is a valuable asset for NSW,” Professor Parfitt said.
Unlike similar facilities built by private companies, the UTS Vault can be used by startups, government departments and other universities.
Kathryn Magann
(Australian Associated Press)