Cyber Security in Outer Western Sydney 

The Western Sydney City Deal set out a vision and a set of commitments for Western Sydney to be future-focused and digitally enabled. Smart technologies will make the region resilient, sustainable, economically vibrant, connected and inclusive.  As Outer Western Sydney begins to introduce technologies to support its vision, the consistent identification and management of city-wide cyber risks is critical to ensure a unified defence against increasing cyber threats, boosting confidence in Outer Western Sydney as a smart region.

The Outer Western Sydney Cyber Security Uplift Project was initiated in 2020 to build cyber capability and to establish a city-wide Cyber Risk Management Framework for all city-wide connected infrastructure and policy projects to ensure consistent cyber risk management and visibility across the City.

Outer Western Sydney Cyber Security Uplift Project

The Outer Western Sydney Cyber Security Uplift Project aimed to design and implement a unified approach to cyber security risk management for the Outer Western Sydney. The project was a collaboration between Outer Western Sydney Alliance, Sydney’s Parkland Councils, including Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly, and the NSW Government. The purpose of the project was to:

• Provide a common cyber security framework.
• Establish criteria for city-wide cyber risk governance.
• Implement baseline controls to protect information assets.
• Enhance cyber security awareness and knowledge.
• Support adherence to relevant legislation, regulations, and industry standards.

The project was funded through the NSW Government’s Digital Restart Fund and was delivered over two years,  establishing a Cyber Centre of Excellence in the first year transitioning to a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer in the second year.

Cyber Security within Outer Western Sydney

Outer Western Sydney stakeholders now have access to a number of tools and services focused on cyber security which are co-ordinated through Outer Western Sydney Alliance. These include:

• A Cyber Risk Management Framework – This tool allows stakeholders to collectively or independently, identify and manage cyber risk within connected technology projects. The tool is supported by training materials, user guide, risk library and an assurance process.
• A Common Cyber Security Management Framework – This is a generic framework, written specifically for  the Sydney Parkland’s Councils and administered by Outer Western Sydney Alliance,  and is available to councils and other entities within Outer Western Sydney to develop capacity and capabilities to manage cyber risks.
• A Cyber Security Policy Library – This policy library was developed to support the common framework making it much more accessible for councils to implement their cyber security frameworks.
• Cyber Security Training – Training has been developed and can be accessed or requested through Outer Western Sydney Alliance.
• Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) – A vCISO is available for cyber security advice and support to councils and other entities, accessed through Outer Western Sydney Alliance.

The tools listed above can be accessed through the Log On on this page. For please contact Outer Western Sydney Alliance through the contact tab at the top of this webpage.