The City of Joondalup is a national leader in cybersecurity and is fast becoming the digital innovation centre of Australia. This is thanks to its established and growing network of cyber innovators and education providers, established infrastructure, and a culture that values innovation and digital resilience.
One of those at the forefront of cybersecurity and digital innovation is Edith Cowan University (ECU), with the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, Centre for Securing Digital Futures and the WA Cyber Security Innovation Hub, CyberWest Hub, all based in Joondalup.
Internationally recognised as leaders in this field, ECU Joondalup boasts a purpose-built, world class cybersecurity research and training facility.
ECU’s Associate Dean (Computer and Security), Professor Paul Haskell-Dowland notes that ECU is continually looking to invest and expand to support students and industry partners.
“A critical factor in student success is the opportunity for work integrated learning and industry-aligned projects, where we collaborate with industry and government to give our students practical, real life working examples and experience,” Professor Haskell-Dowland said.
“We are one of only two Australian Universities recognised as Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence and the only Australian institution that’s part of the International Network of Cybersecurity Centres of Excellence.”
Professor Andrew Woodward, ECU’s Professor of Cybersecurity and Director of the Centre for Securing Digital Futures, adds that the University’s approach and unique industry connections are the main attractions for students.
“We have 20 percent of students enrolled in cybersecurity courses across Australia enrolled with ECU,“ Professor Woodward said.
“The City of Joondalup has been very supportive and proactive in terms of facilitating industry partnerships and pursuing innovation opportunities for the area collectively, which has resulted in the creation of new international partnerships for ECU, which benefit us and the wider Joondalup community.”
ECU Joondalup works closely with North Metropolitan TAFE, to offer pathways into its cybersecurity programs.
Kristin Wareing, North Metropolitan TAFE’s Executive Director of Strategic Industry Partnerships notes that the long-term partnerships formed within the Learning Precinct are a real strength of Joondalup.
“Joondalup’s innovation ecosystem fosters opportunities for collaboration that provide mutual benefit for stakeholders and economic strength for the broader community,” Ms Wareing said.
“North Metropolitan TAFE uses leading-edge training technologies to develop skills in high demand disciplines such as data science, robotics and artificial intelligence.’
‘There is a very exciting future ahead and Joondalup is already well placed to become one of the world’s leading centres in cybersecurity and digital innovation.”
CyberWest Hub, the WA Cyber Security Innovation Hub is co-funded through the WA Government’s New Industries Fund, ECU and City of Joondalup and aims to drive growth and connection for the WA cybersecurity sector whilst creating jobs and diversifying the economy.
Cecily Rawlinson, Director of CyberWest Hub, notes that having so many key stakeholders within Joondalup presents great opportunities for future growth and development.
“The concentration of cybersecurity stakeholders within Joondalup was a key reason for us coming here in the first place,” Ms Rawlinson said.
“Having such strong support from local government was another factor. The City of Joondalup has been a great supporter of our work, including our annual CyberWest Summit.”
With its national leadership in cybersecurity and established digital network, Joondalup is primed to leverage its existing capabilities to become the key precinct for innovation in the broader digital economy and a major location for testing and developing emerging technologies.
City of Joondalup Mayor Hon Albert Jacob says that future growth is already underway, with a new partnership with Spacecubed for the exploration of a Joondalup Innovation Incubator, which will provide a space for business growth and activation through mentorship, networking and strategic corporate partnerships.
The City has also partnered with CORE Innovation Hub, operator of the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP), a world-leading collaborative innovation hub and the largest automation and robotics test and development site in Australia.
“The AARP MOU is another step towards the City’s future as an innovation precinct for new and emerging technology and industries,” notes Mayor Jacob.
“The City of Joondalup will support AARP users with the next steps of their technology development, including working to understand the requirements of testing autonomous vehicles and related technologies to eventually see them onto public roads.”
Continuing to expand the network of digital innovation, the City is also working with the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) to progress an Australian-first Smart Mobility Living Lab in Joondalup.
“The Smart Mobility Living Lab in Joondalup will bring future transport technology, robotics and automation together in the one place to facilitate innovation and connections that will solve tomorrow’s complex problems, today,” said Mayor Jacob
The City of Joondalup strives to be a place where robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and data science come together in a safe and cybersecure environment and welcomes investors, partners and collaborators to join them in creating a digital future.
Find out more at business@joondalup.wa.gov.au or visit joondalup.wa.gov.au/invest
