Multimedia Victoria - Students Online Future Gains Security

Students Online Future Gains Security Media release - 4 March 2008 Six university students will join the cyberspace battle to keep online transactions safe, thanks to a new industry-run e-security scholarship program, the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Theo Theophanous announced today. "It's fantastic to see the e-security industry – through its Victorian cluster association SECIA – investing in young skills which will ultimately be the future of this rapidly expanding sector," Mr Theophanous said. The SECIA Scholarships recognise upcoming talent specific to the e-security field. Offered across several Victorian universities, the scholarships will support five undergraduate students with $1000 each and one honours student with a $3000 award. "This funding will help put these students at the frontline in the fight against cyber crime," Mr Theophanous said. "As global e-fraud costs to business spiral towards $3 trillion each year, e-security capabilities are in ever increasing demand, both locally and internationally. "Our local internet security capabilities are already very sophisticated; it's an industry growing its export market and delivering innovative solutions. "When it comes to cyber security, Australia stacks up well internationally, rated among the top eight countries globally and the top three countries in the Asia-Pacific. "But as more and more people start doing business, banking and shopping online, and internet criminals become more sophisticated, it’s important to keep taking new steps to stay ahead of cyber criminals." In an added boost to local e-security expertise, the Brumby Government also recently announced $1 million for a collaborative internet security research centre, working with Westpac, IBM and the University of Ballarat. "Located in the growing Ballarat Technology Park, the $4 million lab will focus on keeping business and the banks one step-ahead of e-criminals, working to protect literally millions of online transactions taking place in Australia each day," Mr Theophanous said. The Brumby Government has announced a host of measures to strengthen e-security, including $100,000 in seed funding to establish the state's eSecurity cluster SECIA.