A new $25.3 million Cyber Security Operations Centre will safeguard NSW Police Force systems from terrorists, organised criminal networks and hackers.
In a joint project led by the NSW Police Force and Cyber Security NSW, the Australian-first operations centre will be made up of a frontline tactical team of 15 analysts and engineers working seven days a week.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the Cyber Security Operations Centre would strengthen the Force's cyber security defences by identifying and blocking threats in real time.
"The NSW Police Force holds a significant amount of sensitive data relating to local, national and international criminal investigations, and we know there are criminals who want to get their hands on this information," Mr Toole said.
"Analysts in the Cyber Security Operations Centre Command respond to and prevent threats of disruption to the police network every day.
"These threats often come from organised crime networks or cyber criminals – and our investment in this Australian-first operations centre is about ensuring our analysts are equipped to stop them in their tracks.
"By protecting police systems, we are fundamentally protecting the people of NSW by allowing the Force to function securely and effectively, and ensure criminal investigations proceed unthwarted."
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said it was vital NSW continued to push ahead with its vision to be a world leader in cyber security to protect and advance its digital economy.
"Now more than ever before, governments, people and businesses are at risk from ongoing cyber security threats and Cyber Security NSW is committed to working with government agencies to improve cyber resilience and ensure they are prepared," Mr Dominello said.
"We are committed to developing an Australian-based cyber security workforce that is world-leading when it comes to taking on increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks."
Since June 2020 the NSW Government has invested $315 million through the Digital Restart Fund to bolster the Government's cyber security capability and grow the local cyber industry.
