Victoria’s thriving cyber security sector has received another boost today with the announcement that Israeli cyber security leader, CyberGym, will relocate its global headquarters to Melbourne, generating 60 new full-time jobs over the next three years and serving to establish Melbourne as the first cyber-ready city in Australia.

CyberGym, a cyber defence organisation half owned by the multi-billion dollar Israeli Government’s Israel Electric Company (IEC), provides comprehensive IT security services and real-world cyber defence training to help organisations significantly improve their cyber security.

The training involves launching simulated cyber security attacks that train staff and IT teams how to mitigate, contain and create resilience against cyber-attacks.

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis met with CyberGym Co-Founder and CEO Ofir Hason at the recent Australian Grand Prix to welcome the announcement as a big win for Victoria after  initial meetings with the company during a cyber security trade mission to Israel in November last year.

CyberGym is a welcome addition to Victoria, which is now home to Australia’s largest cyber security cluster at the Goods Shed, Docklands, including the Government-backed Oceania Cyber Security Centre and the CSIRO’s Data61Cyber Security and Innovation Hub.

Last year, the Andrews Labor Government also signed agreements to work with global research powerhouses including Oxford University’s Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre, Israel’s Tel Aviv University and the Commonwealth of Virginia, the biggest defence state in the US.

Through knowledge sharing, improving research capabilities and access to expertise in cyber security, we are investing in the sector to grow more high skill jobs across the state and win a bigger slice of the global industry, now valued at US$71 billion annually.

Cybercrime affected 46 per cent of small and medium Australian businesses in 2015 and costs the economy around $17 billion a year.  More expertise in this space will enable Victorians to be better prepared to protect their safety and privacy online.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis

“We will continue to pursue investment from companies like CyberGym that will grow our cyber security sector and not only help safeguard our digital economy but create more jobs for Victorians into the future.”

“Victoria is already home to the largest cluster of cyber security organisations and businesses in the country and is fast becoming the Asia Pacific’s hub for tech and business investment.”

Quotes attributable to CyberGym Co-Founder and CEO Ofir Hason

“This region is a great place to do business and we are very pleased to announce Melbourne as the new home of our Global Headquarters. Our cyber security defence and IT services and training are world-leading and we look forward to stepping into the Australian market and helping local companies and government better safeguard themselves against future attacks.”