Cyber defence goes viral at new high tech Cyber Security Training Centre

• More Gold Coast residents will be able to delve into the world of cyber security training with the opening of a new high tech Cyber Security Training Operation Centre (CSTOC) at TAFE Queensland’s Coomera campus.
• Attack and defence rooms, monitoring rooms for hacking/triaging web data, are features of the new Cyber Security Training Operation Centre.
• The centre will provide local industry with a pipeline of skilled workers.

Students at a new high tech Cyber Security Training Operation Centre (CSTOC) at TAFE Queensland’s Coomera campus will receive world class training in how to monitor, detect and contain IT threats across critical applications, devices, and systems. They will be able to do it for free through the Palaszczuk Government’s Fee Free TAFE funding.

The new Cyber Security Training Operation Centre, opened today by Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer, will provide local industry with a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.

The Coomera Campus’ training centre will integrate with the other Cyber Security Training Operations Centres located at TAFE Queensland's Mooloolaba, South Bank and Cairns campuses.

These centres have 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.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:

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

“As our world continues to fully digitise, we also need the skilled workers to ensure our digital infrastructure is protected and the Queensland Government through TAFE Queensland is providing world class, 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.

“We have invested close to $900,000 so that the Coomera Cyber Security Training Operation Centre replicates a commercial Security Operations Centre where students will learn critical digital skills in how to monitor, detect and contain IT threats across critical applications, devices, and systems.

“Additionally, students will learn essential skills required to support strategies to mitigate cyber security threats in a wide range of contexts. These new skills will make students extremely valuable to employers when working in industry.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Gaven and Minister for Housing Meaghan Scanlon:

“We are developing cutting edge facilities so that 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.

“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.

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

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

The Palaszczuk Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland’s Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 is committed to helping Queenslanders secure the work they want, support employers to develop inclusive work practices and grow a more diverse, skilled workforce to support Queensland’s growth now and into the future.

ENDS

Media contact: Gary Shipway 0458 090906