Edith Cowan University is today launching a new research institute to further cement its position as a world leader in cyber security research.

The Institute for Securing Digital Futures, based at the ECU in Perth, brings together the University’s strengths across a number of related fields in cyber security, computer science and digital citizenship.

The institute aims to protect Australia’s online security in an increasingly connected world.

It will focus on linking research across five key areas where ECU already conducts world-leading study:

• Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems
• Critical infrastructure security
• Combatting cyber-enabled crime
• Digital citizenship and human behaviour
• Secure systems

The new institute will build on the successes of ECU’s existing Security Research Institute, which is recognised as a world leader in cyber security research.

ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Caroline Finch says the launch of the Institute for Securing Digital Futures is the latest step in ECU’s journey to becoming a research-intensive university producing world-class research.

“ECU has determined that the landscape of our digital future is an area in which the University already has considerable research strength and the capacity to further grow this academic muscle through additional investment and the promotion of cross-disciplinary study,” Professor Finch said.

“In no other field is change occurring more rapidly than it is in the digital domain.

Tony Marceddo … engaging with business, industry and government

“It is impacting every aspect of human existence at an exponential pace and so it’s absolutely vital that we closely examine those impacts – that we stay ahead of the curve by designing the curve ourselves.”

Making a difference for all Australians

The new institute will be led by Tony Marceddo, who joins ECU from cloud provider Vault Cloud and numerous positions in the defence, intelligence, space, cyber and communications sectors.

“The Institute for Securing Digital Futures will focus ECU’s significant research strengths in this area toward solutions that will make a difference to everyday Australians,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to engaging with business, industry and government to work on solving pressing issues in our digital environment.”

The Institute for Securing Digital Futures is the first of four new University wide research centres that will be launched by ECU as part of its enhanced focus on producing world-class research.