SMODS presented at UTS Cybersecurity Precinct launch as an applied solution for secure, standards-based data sharing
On 12 June 2025, the University of Technology Sydney officially launched its new Cybersecurity Precinct, an advanced facility dedicated to accelerating Australia’s cyber resilience. The precinct is a hub for collaboration, innovation and training in cybersecurity, purpose-built to bring government, industry and academia into closer alignment in the face of growing digital threats.
As part of the launch event, the Secure Multi-Org Data-Sharing (SMODS) Platform, developed under the Connectivity Innovation Network (CIN), was featured as a live demonstration of real-world, standards-based cybersecurity innovation. The platform was presented by Dr Xu Wang, lead researcher of SMODS and Course Director for the Bachelor of Cybersecurity (IDeA) at UTS.
Developed by UTS in consultation with World Data Exchange and supported by CIN, SMODS enables real-time, privacy-preserving information sharing across emergency services and government agencies. It is one of the first solutions globally to embed the Australian Computer Society’s Data Sharing Framework and aligns with the latest ISO/IEC international standards for ethical data use and cybersecurity. Demonstrating SMODS at the precinct launch highlighted its potential role in Australia’s future digital infrastructure and its relevance to both national defence and disaster preparedness.
Dr Xu Wang presents the SMODS platform at the UTS Cybersecurity Precinct launch, highlighting its role in secure, real-time data sharing for emergency services.
The launch also featured a panel discussion moderated by CIN’s Director, Professor Ian Oppermann, exploring the role of cross-sector collaboration in building a more cyber-resilient Australia. The panel included:
Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, National Cyber Security Coordinator
Katie Payten, Chief Digital Security Officer, Challenger Group
Chris Mohan, Threat Research Principal, Cyber Security, Telstra
Gayan Benedict, MIT CISR Industry Research Fellow
Rachael Falk, Partner, Cyber & Technology, Ashurst Risk Advisory
Themes ranged from the need to build a ‘digital safety culture’ in Australia to the importance of sovereign capability and industry-ready graduates. The discussion reinforced that cyber resilience is not just a technical challenge but a national imperative that depends on collaboration, trust and applied innovation.
The UTS Cybersecurity Precinct, located at the Broadway campus, offers immersive cyberattack simulations, secure environments for co-design, and workforce development programs to help meet the projected shortfall of 85,000 cybersecurity professionals by 2030.
As a purpose-built facility and national resource, the precinct provides a timely and essential platform to fast-track innovation like SMODS, helping to futureproof Australia’s digital infrastructure, workforce and emergency systems.
