Cyber defence goes viral at the new Cyber Security Training Centre at South Bank TAFE

More Queenslanders can access world class cyber security training with the $2.95 million Cyber Security Training Operation Centre and Robotics Lab now officially open at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus.

This new lab has been built via funding from the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future program, that is investing in digital skills training facilities to develop more workers for this sector, along with other emerging industries.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the investment shows the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to Queenslanders’ digital safety.

“The 2022 cyber-attacks have shown us that we can’t be complacent about our cyber defence workforce capabilities,” Minister Farmer said.

“As our world continues to fully digitise, we also need the skilled workers to ensure our digital infrastructure is protected and TAFE Queensland is providing innovative training in this space.

“This new centre will have attack and defence rooms, monitoring rooms for hacking/triaging web data and data centres to incorporate IT infrastructure providing additional training opportunities for future cyber security professionals here in South-East Queensland.

“The new $950,000 Robotics Lab will support IT Diploma students and enable the campus to offer a Certificate II Autonomous Technology and Diploma in Applied Technology for the first time, providing university pathway programs.  

“The Southbank Robotics Laboratory enables new training in autonomous technology and will focus on robotics, sensors, 3D cameras, software/program logic and artificial intelligence.

“This is an exciting development and important with autonomous technology and equipment expanding into health care, manufacturing and logistics sectors,” she said.

Minister Farmer said developing cutting edge facilities means students can be prepared and tested for the evolving demands of setting up and monitoring vital systems and information networks and gain experience in defending against different kinds of cyber-attacks,” Minister Farmer said.

“Technology plays an important role in business today and can be used to improve efficiencies and productivity – this creates lots of job opportunities in the cyber security and digital industry, but it’s important we have the skilled workers to keep up with the demand.”

Equipping TAFE for our Future is also delivering Cyber Security Training Operations Centres at TAFE Queensland's Mooloolaba and Cairns campuses.

Minister Farmer said the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland’s Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 would create a skilled workforce to support Queensland’s growth now and into the future, including in the cyber security sector.

“We’re committed to helping Queenslanders secure the work they want, support employers to develop inclusive work practices and grow a more diverse workforce.”

ENDS

Ministerial media contact: Nicola Field – 0497 940 285