On Tuesday 13th December 2022, the Australian Lithuanian Hybrid Threat Centre was launched by the Australian Lithuanian Cyber Research Network (ALCRN).
The ACLRN is a joint initiative of RMIT University and Mykolas Romeris University and was established in February 2022 to promote joint research activities.
In this time, the world has adapted to a rapidly changing cyber threat environment exacerbated by geopolitical factors. Lithuania in particular has been at the forefront of these issues due to its membership of NATO.
So what are Hybrid Threats, and what will this new Centre do?
Hybrid threats are state and non-state actors that are challenging countries and institutions they see as a threat, opponent or competitor to their interests and goals with a focus on disputing industry and society through the targeting of physical,
cyber, information and economic-based actions.
This is the first Hybrid Threat Centre in Australia, further enhancing RMIT’s leadership in cyber security research and building on its collaboration with Europe.
Director of RMIT’s Centre for Cyber Security Research & Innovation and co-convenor of the Australian-Lithuanian Cyber Research Network, Professor Matt Warren said, “Australian is facing new security threats and need a new way to understand and mitigate these threats, the Australian – Lithuanian Hybrid Centre represent a new way of thinking about threats. The Centre also highlights the growing relationship between Australia and Lithuania.”
The co-convenor of the Australian-Lithuanian Cyber Research Network, Professor Darius Štitilis, Mykolas Romeris University, said, “Lithuania has been facing hybrid cyber threats for several years, mainly from the Russian side. Over the past few years, Lithuania has acquired some experience and seeks to share this experience with other countries, as well as to further research preventive measures and countermeasures against hybrid threats. The established centre is an example of such activity, as well as a great example of cooperation between Lithuania and Australia.”
The Australian – Lithuanian Hybrid Threat Centre will:
- Undertake joint research looking at hybrid threat impacts upon Australia and Lithuania;
- Assess the society and organisational impact of hybrid threats;
- Explore the impact of hybrid threats upon countries critical infrastructure including democratic institutions;
- Develop a joint seminar series exploring the issues;
- Write thought leadership items regarding the impact of hybrid threats.
