Cyber security centre doesn't operate 24/7

Australia's first cyber security operations centre will not operate 24 hours a day until it "expands its capability", a Department of Defence spokesman has revealed.

Linked gallery: Inside the Cyber Security Operations Centre

Launched Friday, the centre is tasked with defending Australia against Internet attacks.

"Currently it does not operate around the clock," the spokesman said.

Defence Minister John Faulkner said last week that the centre would be staffed initially by 51 experts from the Defence Signals Directorate, growing to 130 in the next five years.

Representatives of other departments and agencies, including ASIO and the Australian Federal Police, will also be based at the facility.

The establishment of the centre is part of the Federal Government's national cyber security initiative, which also includes the creation of a new national computer emergency response team (CERT).