The Australasian Higher Education Cybersecurity Service (AHECS) was formed in 2019 as an initiative from CAUDIT members. AHECS is delivered in collaboration with Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet), AusCERT, Council of Australasian University Directors of Information Technology (CAUDIT), Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ), and the Australian Access Federation (AAF).
AHECS is a higher education sector collective that leverages the capabilities and expertise of its partner entities to strengthen the overall cybersecurity posture of the sector. AHECS acts as the sectors peak cybersecurity body and represents the sector on cybersecurity issues.
AHECS’s purpose is aligned to the principles of being stronger together and ‘all boats lift on a rising tide’. It is a collective developed specifically for the sector, by the sector, to address capability gaps and help defend the sector from continuously evolving cybersecurity threats. This is achieved through coordination of members and partners to inform direction, advocate, share intelligence, reduce barriers to the implementation of good practice, identify and act on capability gaps, and holistically defend the sector from continuously evolving cyber security threats in conjunction with key third parties.
Current & past activities
2024 projects
Status
Notes
Third party risk and assurance
Ongoing
Sector third party system available through CAUDIT offering. HECVATs provided to all CAUDIT Members.
AHECS 2024 Summit
In progress
Event scheduled for 01-03 October at Hotel Realm, Canberra.
Benchmarking
In progress
All surveys currently open for Members to complete. This year, we have expanded internationally, to provide sector based analytics at a global level.
AHECS threat intel sharing
In progress
Ongoing threat sharing, communication between partners, and continual review of Member requirements
AHECS ISAC
In progress
Uplift maturity
Community building
In progress
Continue to build online community and assess engagement methods
Service assessment
In progress
Partner mapping and and gap analysis
2023 projects
Status
Notes
Third party risk and assurance
Ongoing
Sector third party system available through CAUDIT offering.
AHECS 2023 Summit
Completed
Event held 31 October - 03 November at Hotel Realm, Canberra.
Benchmarking
Completed
Reports sent to participating Members. Summary of Baseline sent to all Members.
2022 projects
Status
Project manager/s
Notes
AHECS ISAC launch
Completed
Mike Holm
CTIS connected, communication to follow early August
AHECS 2022 Summit
Completed
Nikki Peever
Working group form, venue booked, program in progress
Government collaboration
Completed
All partners
Monthly update to Executive Steering Committee
Website launch
Completed
Nikki Peever
AHECS website launched
Baseline benchmarking (2022)
Completed
Nikki Peever
Report sent to all participating institutions, summary report sent to all CAUDIT members
Systems benchmarking (2022)
Completed
Nikki Peever
Report sent to all participating institutions
Maturity benchmarking (2022)
Completed
Nikki Peever
Results sent to participating institutions, overall improvement across sector
Governance Structure
We are grateful to the volunteers who form our governance.
Executive Steering Committee: Our AHECS Executive Steering Committee meet monthly and set priorities and AHECS planning.
AHECS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of all First Nations people.