Premier Mark McGowan with ECU’s Security Research Institute director Craig Valli and Innovation Minister Dave Kelly.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan with ECU’s Security Research Institute director Craig Valli and Innovation Minister Dave Kelly. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Joondalup Innovation Hub to focus on cyber security

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

CYBER security will be the initial focus of the Joondalup Innovation Hub.

Premier Mark McGowan and Innovation Minister Dave Kelly recently visited ECU Joondalup to announce $800,000 in State Government funding to help establish the hub.

The hub will bring together the public, private and research sectors to initially work in the area of cyber security, with other industries expected to be able to have access as it grows.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

ECU Vice Chancellor Steve Chapman acknowledged Mr McGowan and Mr Kelly for “really getting it”.

“They understand innovation and they’re really leading on it,” he said.

“I also appreciate acknowledgement of ECU’s role in cyber security and our partnership with the City of Joondalup.

“We want Joondalup to be thought of as the cyber city and with the investment we’re getting from the Federal Government and the State Government and from industry and other partners I think that’s going to be a huge success.

“We look forward to the innovation hub becoming a great success.”

The City of Joondalup also welcomed the State Government commitment.

“For some time the City has worked on making Joondalup an innovation hub by exploring initiatives between local government and the university sector,” mayor Albert Jacob said.

“The launch of The Link website in 2016 was the first milestone in this ambitious plan and was the result of a joint initiative between the City and ECU to enable businesses and investors to access relevant information on how to take advantage of opportunities in Joondalup and connect with global leading research expertise.

“The Link has helped to drive innovation and business growth in Perth’s northern growth corridor, encouraging the brightest minds in research and business to work together to create novel solutions and job-creating enterprises.”

Mr Jacob said the launch of the City’s digital strategy in 2013 also identified the need for the City to support cyber security research pilot projects.

The funding is part of the $16.7 million New Industries Fund, with the Joondalup Innovation Hub to be one of the first initiatives to receive financial support.

Mr McGowan said the fund would “support and accelerate new and emerging businesses to diversify the economy and create WA jobs”.

Mr Kelly said innovation hubs “bring a critical mass of people together with access to expertise and facilities, making better use of talent and technology”.

“ECU is a world leader in cyber security research and training and the City of Joondalup has been a longstanding supporter of innovation and economic development,” he said.

The innovation hub will be housed in ECU Joondalup’s Ngoolark building with the Office of Research and Innovation.

MORE: Fatal Canning Vale brawl: person arrested

MORE: Midland Police CBD team named best in the state following WA Police Excellence Awards

MORE: Police officer dies on duty after motorcycle crash

MORE: Perth weather: summer sun, something’s begun