Defence Research and Engagement

Programs

ECU is delivering Defence outcomes within four programs: cyber security, human performance, engineering and science, and national security.

Cyber Security

Cyber security is vital for a safe and economically strong Australia. For Australia’s defence forces this capability is essential to the ADF’s activities.  From logistics to warfighting, every defence task and operation depends on having information systems that are secure, assured and resilient.

ECU has a strong reputation for its education programs in cyber security at undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD and vocational/executive training levels, and has been supplying job ready graduates for over a decade.  ECU is already delivering bespoke training for Defence. Specialised training in cyber security knowledge and techniques for selected serving personnel has been delivered over five years.

The Security Research Institute at ECU has Australia’s leading cyber security R&D capability. It has two of only six international academic members of the Interpol Cyber Crime Experts Group.  ECU cyber security staff hold national security clearances and work within a purpose-built facility that can conduct highly classified research.

The Securing Digital Futures theme brings together researchers in secure systems, artificial intelligence, digital citizenship, critical infrastructure, cyber enabled crime and information warfare to establish a multidisciplinary research program aimed at assuring our utility of information systems into the future.

The Commonwealth Government’s investment in ECU’s Academic Cyber Security Centre of Excellence is national recognition of the university’s leading role in building cyber security research, teaching, learning and community education for over ten years. The National Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre that is led by industry is the outcome of a long-standing partnership between ECU and industry. The State and Local Government supported Joondalup Innovation Hub will have an initial focus on cyber security and will house the AustCyber WA Node.

Human Performance

ECU was rated as one of the top 20 Sports Science schools under the Shanghai 2017 global rankings. ECU’s researchers are able to assist in a broad range of human performance areas of interest to Defence, including proactive health management, task-oriented strengthening and conditioning, and injury prevention.  Additionally the multi-disciplinary approach to health includes research in the prevention and treatment of stress-related conditions.  Much of the work that ECU has performed in support of elite sportspeople and emergency workers is of direct relevance to Defence. ECU also has health related education programs of potential interest to Defence personnel, including the use of simulation in healthcare.

Engineering and Science

ECU provides technical education especially through the Schools of Engineering and Science, that support the future Defence sector, including providing skills to Defence industry. ECU is a partner of the Australian Maritime College and the Naval Shipbuilding Initiative.  This also provides a capacity to address R&D tasks in engineering, including the Smart Ships program.

ECU programs in engineering and science include particular strengths in automotive and maritime engineering, automation, control systems and materials.  This translates into a capacity to deliver graduates and post-graduates, as well as associated research efforts and support to Defence in areas such as aerospace simulation.

The Electron Science Research Institute is pioneering technologies that support laser systems, including in use for sensing and communications, but also with relevance to glass manufacture.  These technologies have potential for application in military systems for increased capability and innovation.

Information Warfare

ECU’s expertise across a number of areas, including Defence, science, security, law and psychology, as well as its ability to focus and coordinate this multi-disciplinary expertise on specific problem areas, places it well to contribute to issues of a national security nature.  Researchers are examining matters associated with emerging threats and the causes of conflict, and this places ECU staff in a good position to contribute to important discussions about future national security.  In particular, ECU now has a vibrant program in Information Warfare, in which researchers are examining the changing nature of conflict and security, and how Australia may be better positioned to maintain and enhance its national interests into the future.