On Tuesday, December 13th, 2022, the Australian-Lithuanian Cyber Research Network (ALCRN) opened the Australia-Lithuania Hybrid Threat Centre.
ALCRN is a joint research network of RMIT University Melbourne City Campus and Mykolas Romeris University (MRU). It was established in February of 2022.
During this period, the world has adapted to a rapidly changing cyber threat environment, compounded by geopolitical factors. Due to its involvement in NATO, Lithuania was at the forefront of these issues.
Hybrid Threats - Focus of New Center
Hybrid threats are complex phenomena that pose challenges to countries and institutions that are considered opponents or competitors of someone's interests and goals.
The center is the first national hybrid threat center in Australia and highlights RMIT's leadership in cyber security research, collaborating with MRU and other European countries around the world.
"Establishing a joint MRU and RMIT center is just the beginning. We have a long way to go to identify and respond to ever-evolving hybrid threats. I am convinced that on this path our universities will contribute to the creation of a safe environment for the future", said MRU Rector Prof. Dr. Inga Zalėnienė.
Director of the RMIT Cyber Security Research and Innovation Center and one of the initiators of the Australia-Lithuanian Cyber Research Network, Prof. Matthew Warren noted, “Australia is facing cyber threats and needs a new way to manage them. It is the Australian-Lithuanian Hybrid Threat Center that reflects a new concept of threats. The establishment of the center also shows the strengthening of relations between Australia and Lithuania".
One of the founders of the Australian-Lithuanian Cyber Research Network, MRU Public Governance and Business Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Darius Štitilis says that "Lithuania has been dealing with hybrid cyber threats for several years, which mostly come from Russia.
"Over the past few years, Lithuania has gained some experience and aims to share it with other countries, as well as to continue research on preventive and countermeasures against hybrid threats. The established Center is an excellent example of such activities and cooperation between Lithuania and Australia," the Dean said.
The new Australia-Lithuania Hybrid Threat Center will conduct joint research examining the impact of hybrid threats on Australia and Lithuania, assess the impact of hybrid threats on society, organizations, critical state infrastructure, including democratic institutions. The Centre plans to hold joint seminars that will examine these issues, and prepare reports on hybrid threats impact of threats.
