Global IT giant NEC has celebrated another milestone in a series of South Australian investments with the opening of its Global Security Intelligence Centre this week.
With cyber-attacks an increasing threat for business and government IT systems – as recently as a fortnight ago when the worldwide ransomware attack caused major global disruption – cyber security is critical to all sectors of government, business and enterprise.
The $4.38 million NEC Centre will create an estimated 50 highly-skilled jobs and form part of the company’s global cybersecurity network, complementing its security-focused facilities and networks in Japan, Brazil, Singapore, USA and Austria.
Along with the opening of the Adelaide-based Global Security Intelligence Centre, NEC Australia was recently awarded a contract by SA Police to develop facial recognition software which will position our police force as one of the most technically advanced in the region.
Its graduate program is also providing pathways for local technology students to enter the workforce and build a career with one of Australia’s top technology firms. This program is a key component of attracting graduates who will be located in the Adelaide office.
Background
A 2016 Lloyd’s-Cambridge Study found that cybercrime is now the seventh biggest global economic threat and will cost Australia an estimated A$16 billion over the next decade and US$294 billion globally. Australia features prominently as a target for cyber-attacks due to our rapid adoption of technology and relative global wealth.
NEC Australia worked closely with Investment Attraction South Australia which has delivered more than $1 billion in capital investment and more than 5200 jobs in a little over 18 months.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith
Cyber security is a rapidly growing sector, and is attracting increasing attention and investment. Governments and businesses alike need innovative products and services to protect them from increasingly sophisticated threats to privacy and security as we saw earlier this month.
With the massive growth of ‘Internet of Things’, new cyber security measures are needed and Adelaide’s place as a global smart city is the perfect place to develop this future security.
NEC’s investment will help South Australia achieve global prominence in the cyber security field, and complement the Smart City initiatives already underway in Adelaide.
In this age of digitalisation, threats to our economic, personal and national wellbeing mean cyber security must be effective across every aspect of our society, including government, business, defence and research domains. This intelligence centre is therefore helping position South Australia as a global player in what is a growth industry.
Quotes attributable to NEC Australia Chief Operating Officer Mike Barber
NEC Australia’s new Global Security Intelligence Centre in Adelaide is a key element of NEC’s global security business and reach, complementing facilities and activities in Japan, Singapore, Brazil, Austria and the USA. The Centre has received capital funding from NEC Japan and NEC Australia.
It’s built and operates to high security certifications and standards required by governments and enterprises for the management and support of their data and applications. Zones are built for various levels of security and the zones and operations undergo rigorous assessment to achieve certifications.
One of the highlights of the Global Security Centre is that it provides a vast suite of security services to local, national and international customers, from Adelaide. The Centre is serving a market much larger than just South Australia with specialist skilled people located in Adelaide.