Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security

Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security is a free 10-week program for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to further their R&D opportunities related to cyber security solutions. Applications for the next intake are open until Monday 11 July, with the program commencing 26 July 2022. Apply here. 

The Innovate to Grow program is a self-paced and virtually-delivered program to boost innovation performance of SMEs in high priority sectors.

The course will provide tools and information to help you better understand what’s involved with R&D and key things you need to consider at each step of the process. You’ll be able to apply this knowledge to advance your innovation journey.

You will also be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts and work with a sector or R&D mentor. Throughout the course, you will also work alongside other like-minded SMEs and build your networks.

Turn your R&D idea into a reality

This program is perfect for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) currently working in cyber security who are either:

• interested in progressing their research and development (R&D) opportunities
• are in the early decision-making stages about engaging in an R&D project with a research organisation but are not quite sure where to start.

As part of Innovate to Grow, you will be exposed to research and development opportunities, industry knowledge, and will hear from innovation and industry experts and work with a sector or R&D mentor. You will also work alongside other like-minded SMEs and build your networks.

Program detail

Participants will develop actionable business plans and strategies to assist with identified R&D needs through a structured, time-efficient development process.

The program is self-paced and is delivered in three phases.

Phase 1: Program preparation

• Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session, pre-workshop videos, materials and questionnaires to assist in preparing for the program.
• Time commitment is approximately two hours.

Phase 2 (Week 1): Half-day workshop

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• Time commitment is approximately four hours.

Phase 3 (Week 2-10): Self-paced 60-day online program

• Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by CSIRO experts and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research ideas and business cases.
• Fortnightly webinars to hear from experts in your sector, R&D tax agents and get to know your fellow participants.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program outcomes

High-quality outcomes: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.

Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.

Mentor: You will be paired with a cyber security researcher to help connect you with the relevant specialists.

Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers at CSIRO and universities, domain experts, funding professionals and other SMEs.

Content outline

• Identifying your innovation opportunities.
• Refining your value proposition.
• Understanding the R&D viability.
• Helping you build your business case.
• Providing guidance on how to prepare a strong funding application.

Who can attend

This program is open to any SME participants working in cyber security from the subsectors listed below.

• Network security
• Application security
• Human centric security
• Data integrity and privacy
• Incident management and response
• Agriculture-related cyber security
• Critical infrastructure
• Quantum security

Selection criteria (essential):

• An Australian registered and operating business.
• A business classified as small to medium (less than 200 employees).
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business.

Other considerations:

• Currently working in the cyber security sector (or have identified a new opportunity relevant to cyber).
• Any other information provided to support your application.
• Have a clear need to develop your skills in R&D.

Please note: We often receive many more applications than the 25 places available. CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development.

We also include participants from a variety of industry sub‑sectors and regions.

We will also be running another Cyber Security program later in the year, with applications opening 24 October 2022 and the program starting in December 2022. Register you interest.

Download the flyer

Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security Flyer PDF (258 KB)
Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security Flyer TXT (4 KB)

What program participants are saying

“It's been a good program and I would recommend it to those that can create the time. The process and templates have been great in giving us some structure to approaching R&D and I feel this was most useful for us and would be so for others in our position."

— Jared Cunningham, Director, Ravin

"The perfect solution in the current times. Innovation can provide a path out of the current COVID induced slump and reposition Australia as a smart nation into the future. Nobody knows their product/markets and how to improve them like SME's, they just don't have the resources to develop them. This course taps that knowledge rich base and links with the resources."

— Hamish Shaw, GM Bellata Gold Milling

"I believe the program is a great way to distil and crystalize a specific project scope. Regardless of funding opportunities the ability to narrow down the scope of a potential project is extremely valuable."

— Chris Pistilli, Lead Consultant, Synergy Managed

"I found the program rewarding, enjoyable and thought provoking.  It may not be a good fit for every organisation but for those looking to understand more about developing a process of innovation and learning how to engage with research institutes it was very useful."

— Julian Fay, Chief Technology Corporation, Senetas

CSIRO Innovate to Grow is delivered using Practera’s online ed-tech platform and facilitation services.

Innovate to Grow is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund Grant Opportunity Program.