AFP Celebrates 11th Year of Safer Internet Day with New Partnership
For the 11th year celebration of the Safer Internet Day this February, in observance of this year's theme of Let's Create a Better Internet Together, the Australian Federal Police, the Queensland Police Service, Western Australia Police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia penned a Memorandum of Understanding to partner with ThinkUKnow cyber safety program of 2014.
ThinkUKnow Australia had been providing interactive training to parents, carers and teachers across Australia since it was created in 2009. It was developed by the AFP, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and is supported by the Northern territory Police and NineMsn. To date, there had been 27,000 parents, carers and teachers, and community members who had been recipients of the training.
AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner Close Operational Support Tim Morris announced on Feb 11 this year's new partnership, saying that he is looking forward to working together on this very important initiative.
"The AFP, together with our partner agencies, remain committed to ensure the safety of all Australian children online and making the internet a safer environment for our kids. I strongly encourage all parents and young people to visit the ThinkUKnow website on Safer Internet Day to gain valuable information and tips on how to stay in control and learn invaluable online safety skills," Mr Morris said.
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of the Queensland Police Service said that his department had always been in support to the safety of community members online, especially to the safety of the children and the elderly.
"As these groups continue to become engaged online at such a rapid pace, it is crucial we complement our existing suite of programs and capabilities in this area with programs that cover issues such as cyberbullyingWe welcome the program and look forward to introducing it across the state along with our 'Who's chatting to your kids?' and 'Fiscal the Fraud Fighting Ferret' programs," Mr Hay said.
Chief Executive Officer Neighbourhood Watch Australasia acknowledged the 30-year history of Australia working with the community.
"By working as part of the ThinkUKnow program, NHWA can strengthen its aim of enabling safer and vibrant communities through Australasia's on-line community," Ms Stonhill said.
The Department of Defence for its part partnered with DSTO (Defence Science and Technology Organisation and IBM Australia to conduct cyber security research.
Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky and IBM Australia's Director mr Glenn Wightwick penned the agreement on Feb 10.
"This alliance means the two organisations will collaborate in the highly specialised technology areas of cyber security, analytics and cognitive computing. The alliance is an opportunity to strengthen the ADF's capabilities in cyber security. Both organisations have deep expertise in these areas and it is a natural fit that we work together in what are some very promising defence related areas of research." Dr Zelinsky said.
Mr Wightwick said the company welcomed the chance to contribute to Defence capability in emerging technologies.
"IBM has a long history of driving innovation - from the invention of the barcode to the creation of cognitive computing systems that learn and interact naturally with people to extend what either humans or machine could do on their own," he said.
"Our researchers push the boundaries of science and technology to make the world work better."
"IBM has a strong relationship with the Australian Defence Force and we are pleased to be able to collaborate with DSTO on this important work."