Victoria University recognised for excellence in cyber security

Victoria University’s cyber security awareness program for staff and students was recognised for excellence by Australia’s peak cybersecurity body at the 2021 Australian Information Security Association (AISA) Conference.

The program, VU Cyber | Safe, Savvy, Secure, won AISA’s Cyber Security Outreach Program of the Year for the most innovative and impactful outreach program leading to a safer community.

It is a result of several years’ hard work to develop a University-wide cyber-aware culture focused on behaviour change.

Nitin Singh, VU’s Director of Cyber and Digital Networks and Chief Information Security Officer, said the program’s development involved students as well as staff. Its slogan and logo were co-created with VU design and marketing students.

“Cybersecurity is an ongoing life skill to be practiced in all environments, not just at work or in study,” he said. “This award is a testament to the importance we all place on cybersecurity.”

The VU cyber team tailored information sessions for different cohorts of students, academics, researchers, professional staff, partners and the community. Its most recent phishing awareness campaign showed impressive results that were much better than the industry average.

TAFEcyber also honoured

At the same awards ceremony, AISA named the national TAFE consortia for cyber security education and training, TAFEcyber, as Cyber Security Educator of the Year.

VU Polytechnic is on the management committee of TAFEcyber, which includes 10 other TAFE institutions, as well as industry and government partners. Together, they deliver a range of courses focusing on skilling the country’s fast-growing cyber security workforce.

Jo Cave, Head of VU Polytechnic’s cyber and digital transformation programs, said the award was a wonderful recognition of the role of TAFE in building the capacity of Australia’s cyber security training over the past two years.

“TAFEcyber is an integral part of upskilling the future cyber workforce and addressing the cyber skills shortage. The management team have focused on a national collaborative approach to cyber education and we look forward to watching TAFEcyber continue to grow.”

As Australia’s peak body for cyber security, AISA has created these awards to recognise and promote excellence, innovation and professionalism in the area of cyber security by individuals, projects, teams and organisations.