Introducing CI-ISAC's Academic Research, Development, & Engagement Group (ARDEG)

Collaboration between universities and industry in the field of cyber threat intelligence research is more important than ever as the scale and complexity of threats increases. The CI-ISAC Academic Research, Development, and Engagement Group (ARDEG) does this by bringing researchers and industry sectors together with a strict research focus on cyber threat intelligence and cyber security to play a vital role in helping Australian critical infrastructure owners and operators enhance their cyber defences at the same time as contributing to world leading cyber security research.

CI-ISAC's ARDEG Membership is open to researchers at all Australian tertiary institutions and crown research centres. CI-ISAC is grateful to Associate Professor Atif Ahmad from the University of Melbourne (Chair) and Professor Andrew Bradley from the University of the Sunshine Coast (Deputy Chair) for providing foundational leadership of the ARDEG. Atif and Andrew are internationally recognised thought leaders in information technology and cyber threat intelligence and they warmly welcome cybersecurity researchers from across Australia to reach out and join the ARDEG's mission.

Driven by the intellect and energy of Australian researchers and industry stakeholders the ARDEG the following benefits shall be delivered:

Comprehensive expertise: Universities often have cutting-edge research facilities, access to diverse academic disciplines, and subject matter experts. Industry partners, on the other hand, possess real-world experience, industry-specific knowledge, and understanding of practical challenges. Collaboration between the two allows for a combination of academic rigor and practical insights, resulting in comprehensive expertise.

Timely and relevant research: Cyber threats are rapidly evolving, and research needs to keep pace with the changing landscape. Industry collaboration ensures that university research projects remain relevant to the current threat landscape industry faces. By working together, academia and industry can undertake broad area and applied research to identify emerging threats, analyze attack patterns, and develop proactive defense mechanisms in a timelier manner.

Access to real-world data: Industry partners have access to vast amounts of real-world data, such as incident reports, malware samples, network traffic, and attack telemetry. Collaboration with universities allows researchers to access and analyze this valuable data, enabling them to develop and validate novel threat intelligence techniques, algorithms, and tools. Real-world data sets also enhance the credibility and applicability of research outcomes.

Bridging the gap between theory and practice: Universities primarily focus on theoretical knowledge, while industry emphasizes practical implementation. Collaboration between the two bridges the gap between theory and practice. Academics can gain a better understanding of real-world constraints, operational challenges, and threat intelligence workflows, while industry professionals can benefit from the latest academic research and methodologies.

Talent development and recruitment: Collaboration provides opportunities for students to work on industry-relevant research projects, gaining hands-on experience and practical skills. This exposure to real-world problems enhances their employability and makes them attractive candidates for industry roles. Industry partners, in turn, have the chance to identify and recruit talented individuals who have received relevant training and exposure during their academic collaborations.

Shared resources and funding: Collaboration allows for the pooling of resources, including funding, research facilities, and technical infrastructure. This sharing of resources enables researchers to undertake larger-scale projects, conduct in-depth analyses, and explore new avenues of research that may not have been feasible individually.

Knowledge dissemination and technology transfer: Collaborative research efforts between universities and industry often lead to joint publications, conferences, and workshops. This knowledge dissemination helps disseminate research findings to a wider audience and fosters the exchange of ideas and best practices. Moreover, industry collaboration facilitates the transfer of technology and innovation from academia to industry, leading to the development of new products, services, and solutions.

CI-ISAC Australia’s ARDEG will strengthen university and industry collaboration on cyber threat intelligence research in a symbiotic manner where academia and industry mutually benefit from each other's strengths. Combining academic rigor with practical industry expertise,

ARDEG collaborations will significantly advance the field of cyber threat intelligence in Australia and globally, leading to enhanced security measures and protection against evolving cyber threats facing critical infrastructure.

Please contact CI-ISAC Australia for further information on info[at]ci-isac.org.au