Speed-networking for security: NSW Govt, industry & students join forces

The Cyber Security Pitch @ Parliament brought speed networking and growth last week, as some of New South Wales' smartest students and top Australian organisations joined forces in a high-powered career event.

The New South Wales Government, in conjunction with 25 companies including the likes of IBM Australia, Hack Labs, Dimension Data Australia, Google, Thales Australia and Telstra, met more than 130 top students from eight NSW universities.

The aim was to prepare the students for the growing cybercrime threat, and to encourage students to engage in security careers, explains NSW's Minister for Industry, Niall Blair.

"Strong cyber security will be fundamental to our growth and prosperity in the global economy as well as our national security," Blair says.

A Harvard University study ranked malicious cyber attacks as costing more than $17 billion each year in damage to the Australian economy. Global crime costs at around $2 trillion each year, that number is expected to exceed $6 trillion by 2021.

At the event, the 25 companies pitched their strengths as employers to the students. The students then explained why they would be a good fit for their preferred companies. The event's aim was to encourage work experience and internships, as well as future career opportunities.

The NSW Government has been working with Data61's job matching service Ribit to meet with the students. Almost half of those students have reached Masters or PhD level.

According to the NSW Government, it is also developing a Cyber Security Industry Development Strategy to grow the industry, capabilities, investment and export potential.

In addition, NSW is the spot for 80% of Australia's cybersecurity businesses, and also provides IT support to startups, financial services and defence.

The total list of participating companies are as follows: Atlassian; BAE Systems Australia; Caltex Australia; Clisso; Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Dimension Data Australia; DXC Technology; Ernst - Young; Google; HackLabs; Hivint; IBM - Australia; Informed Solutions, Sydney; Mastercard; Mercury ISS; National Australia Bank; NSW Department of Finance, Services - Innovation; Optus; Pure Hacking; Qantas; Shearwater; Tata Consultancy Services; Telstra; Thales Australia and Westpac.

Participating universities included: University of Technology, Sydney; University of Sydney; University of NSW; Macquarie University; Notre Dame University; University of Wollongong; University of Newcastle; and the University of Western Sydney.