A cyber-security organisation based on the Sunshine Coast has received millions of dollars in funding to help safeguard Australia’s health sector from online threats.
The Critical Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (CI-ISAC) has been provided with a $6.4 million boost from the federal government, to support the creation of a Health Cyber Sharing Network.
The network is expected to help healthcare providers share intelligence and strengthen their defences against cyber attacks.
CI-ISAC was established on the Sunshine Coast in early 2023. The Maroochydore-based group provides cyber-threat intelligence to organisations across Australia’s 11 critical infrastructure sectors, including healthcare.
It provides a cyber ‘neighbourhood watch’ for Australian health providers to share relevant information on cyber threats, while also benefiting from insights gained from other critical infrastructure sectors.
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CI-ISAC CEO David Sandell said the new Health Cyber Sharing Network would significantly strengthen the resilience of Australia’s health and medical sector.
“The health and medical sector holds a large amount of incredibly private and personal medical and financial information,” he said.
“The new network can help members reduce their cyber risks and prevent disruptions to essential health services, ensuring the wellbeing of patients.”
The Sunshine Coast is playing a leading role in cyber security in Australia.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli acknowledged the centre’s contribution to the region.
“CI-ISAC’s decision to base itself on the Sunshine Coast while delivering national services shows the strength of our digital economy,” she said.
“With the fastest east coast fibre connection to the US, a fibre-enabled city centre and another international cable on the way, the Sunshine Coast is built for high-tech industries.
“Organisations like CI-ISAC strengthen our national security, create local jobs and attract leading tech talent to the region.
“We are immensely proud that a nation-leading organisation like CI-ISAC has chosen to operate here, and we wish them great success in their critical work for our country.”
Sunshine Coast Tech Industry Alliance chair Jason Garland said he and the broader tech industry were pleased for CI-ISAC.
“As a valued member of the Sunshine Coast business community, the national visibility that CI-ISAC is creating for our region’s achievements and capabilities is outstanding,” he said.
“Senior members of Australia’s corporate sector and government at all levels are now learning where CI-ISAC is operating from and why this location has been chosen.
“That has enormous benefit for our wider tech community through increased visibility of what we can do and deliver from the Sunshine Coast.”
