Leading cyber security expert Professor Matthew Warren has joined RMIT University and will establish a new cyber security research centre focusing on the needs of business and industry.
Professor Martie-Louise Verreynne, deputy pro vice-chancellor (research and innovation) in the College of Business and Law, said she was excited to welcome someone with such an outward looking focus and strong track record working with government and industry.
“Matt’s extensive experience of more than two decades in cyber security and computer ethics research, coupled with his focus on business will be a fantastic asset to RMIT,” Verreynne said.
“The complex nature of cyber security is presenting increasing challenges for business as criminals are becoming more adept at exploiting loopholes in computers, and the amount of information and online data is skyrocketing.
“Our new Centre will have a strong focus on looking at the human element and what cyber security means for business. It will also investigate consumers’ concerns around trusting businesses with their data.”
Verreynne said the Centre will bring together experts from multiple disciplines including business, computer science, engineering, mathematics and entrepreneurship. It will work closely with the RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub.
In his former role at Deakin University where he worked for 22 years, Warren was a professor of cyber security. He was also deputy director of Deakin’s Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation and worked on research into policy development, security risk analysis and the impact of cyber security technology.
Warren said he was excited about the new role and opportunities offered by RMIT as a global university.
“I am looking forward to this opportunity to lead a new holistic cyber security research centre that will investigate a range of aspects including data security but also the business aspects like policy, infrastructure, supply chain and management security,” he said.
“This will be the first centre in Australia to have a business driven view of cyber security, moving beyond the traditional data and technology focus.
“RMIT’s extensive links with industry partners and its global connections including campuses in Vietnam and Barcelona are also drawcards for me.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the university with the recent launch of its Cyber Ready Cloud Innovation Centre, powered by Amazon Web Services; investment in RMIT’s Blockchain Innovation Hub and new role as host for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society.”
Professor Warren will begin his appointment at RMIT on 27 April.