Military leader says cyber engineering is critical to the nation’s future

 As our physical and digital systems become increasingly integrated, cybersecurity is an issue that should be on the radar of all engineers, says Australia’s Head of Information Warfare. 

“Cybersecurity and cyber resilience are cross-disciplinary challenges that require a truly cross-disciplinary response from the engineering profession,” Major General Marcus Thompson AM FIEAust CPEng told create. 

“There are engineers working in how to become a computer engineer, in cyber operations and on the cyber resilience of the government, of organisations within industry.

“Put all that together — engineers are working on the cyber resilience of the nation.”

As cyber engineering takes in such a broad cross section of engineers, Engineers Australia Board Director Major General Thompson saw the need to create a “professional home” for those with expertise and interest in the subject. 

The result is Engineers Australia’s new Cyber Engineering Community of Practice (CoP), launched during Australian Cyber Week (26-30 October). The group will share experiences and knowledge, primarily focusing on cyber security and threats to computer and telecommunications infrastructure and services.