CSIRO has announced a free 10-week online Innovate to Grow program for small and medium-sized enterprises in the cybersecurity industry.
The CSIRO program will offer research and development expertise to support SMEs that are developing novel cybersecurity solutions.
Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to access support through CSIRO, connect to research expertise nationally, and tap into significant R&D funding.
The program comes amid the growing threat across the world that impacts many different types of sectors.
George Feast, deputy director of CSIRO’s SME Connect, said participants are called on to come up with a specific cybersecurity commercial idea that they would like to explore.
“Over 10 weeks we’ll step businesses through how to refine their idea, to understand its research viability, and begin engaging a university or research institution to deliver a collaborative R&D project,” Feast said.
Program participants will also receive CSIRO’s own cyber security expert insights through Data61, CSIRO’s data digital specialist, and be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts, and work with an R&D mentor.
CSIRO’s Data 61 Group Leader Surya Nepal said cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to conduct cyberattacks, which can have devastating impacts on companies and consumers.
Companies eligible for the program can be working directly in cybersecurity or other industries that offer online solutions to their customers and are seeking to enhance the cybersecurity aspect of their offering.
“I’d recommend this program for other start-ups who typically lack the capital and time to pursue these sorts of activities. Having the experience coordinated by CSIRO really aided in the structure and consistency of the program, and the lack of associated costs was a huge plus as well,” said Corey Fraser, operation project manager of Rezilens, one of the companies that completed Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security program earlier this year.
The program commences on 1 December and will accept up to 25 SMEs. Applications will be accepted until 7 November.
