A month after releasing its first cyber security strategy, the New South Wales Government has revealed an industry-focused roadmap.
The NSW cyber security industry development strategy will revolve around four key themes, spanning supporting innovation and collaboration to drive commercial outcomes in cyber security, in addition to supporting start-ups and SMEs to increase investment in and commercialisation of intellectual property.
Furthermore, other key themes include growing exports and attracting investment in the NSW cyber security sector, alongside closing the cyber security workforce skills gaps by better aligning the education sector and industry requirements.
For the NSW Government, start-ups require a strong industry-wide support network, extending from mentorship with mature organisations, connections with local and global supply chain partners, and connectivity to the consumer market, in order to thrive.
In order to support SMEs and start-ups, the NSW government is proposing to make procurement policies for digital products and services easy to understand and accessible to start-ups and SMEs.
However, there is no specific data for this to commence, with the strategy stating only it will be starting within 12 months.
The NSW Government said it will use the NSW Cyber Security Connect program to host workshops and events for start-ups and SMEs.
This particular initiative will have its start within two years and will see the NSW Government partnering with AustCyber, the NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation and TAFE among others.
Another step will see an increase in early-stage product development support for start-ups and SMEs. Part of this step will leverage and promote the NSW Government’s Boosting Business Innovation program to support start-ups and SMEs, according to the strategy. This is also to begin within 12 months.
Like many in the industry, the NSW Government wants to close the cyber security workforce skills gap and plans to do that by promoting cyber security as a career path.
It will also promote and support the creation of internships, traineeships and apprenticeships with industry, develop a cyber skills entry pathway model and Enhance the supply of skilled cyber security workers, including university and vocational graduates with STEM and job-ready skills.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello said the NSW Government will create the conditions for the industry to "continue to prosper and deliver economic benefits to the state".
“NSW starts from a strong baseline and is already home to the largest ICT industry in Australia, a world-leading financial services sector, a rapidly expanding fintech industry and more than 45 per cent of the nation’s start-ups,” he said.
“This strategy will take advantage of these existing strengths and supporting our cyber security start-ups and SMEs to develop new technologies to commercialise and export globally.”
Dominello said the strategy will create jobs through industry growth and address the current shortfall of skilled workers.
In late September, the NSW Government introduced its first cyber security strategy set to see agencies across the state taking an integrated approach to prevent and respond to cyber threats.
The strategy was developed to ensure that services offered by the NSW Government agencies are connected and protected while meeting the needs of the government, business and citizens.
