New head of AustCyber Node named

Edith Cowan University has appointed Dr Ian Martinus as the new head of the WA AustCyber Node at its Joondalup Innovation Hub.

Martinus will lead the university’s industry engagement efforts with the cyber security sector in a bid to stimulate job growth and collaborative opportunities between university’s, government and the private sector.

ECU said the node complements its existing expertise in cyber security research and education, with a focus on cybercrime, big data and the effective protection and management of critical infrastructure.

Martinus joins the university with experience across the private and public sectors, having worked in land development, economic development and corporate strategic ventures.

His work at the node will help to ensure that small to medium companies involved with Western Australia’s mining, oil and gas, agriculture, and infrastructure industries support secure data transfers along the supply chain.

Executive dean of ECU’s Science School, professor Andrew Woodward, said he was delighted to welcome Martinus to the lead the WA AustCyber Node.

“Dr Martinus brings significant global experience in dealing with emerging companies and their unique intellectual property,” Woodward said.

“He brings a broad-based skill set that can connect industry to education and assist public-private relationships and initiatives.”

The WA government established the Joondalup Innovation Hub and allocated $800,000 from its New Industries Fund to establish the WA AustCyber Node with Edith Cowan University and AustCyber.

ECU is also home to a $140 million cyber security cooperative research centre (CRC) that was announced in April last year.