Young Australians encouraged into cybersecurity careers

Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence have been approved by the federal government with a view to improving Australia’s cybersecurity.

The centres will produce work-ready graduates for the cybersecurity workforce and world-leading research on cybersecurity, as well offering executive education programs for industry and government.

The announcement comes as a new survey reveals that two-thirds of Australian millennials had never discussed a career in cybersecurity at high school.

“There is growing demand for cybersecurity professionals and it is an exciting and challenging career,” said the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, Dan Tehan.

“Australia also needs talented cyber professionals to help protect our national and business interests online and to encourage innovation.”

The Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence will ultimately help to ensure that students are ready to enter the workforce and ensure that executives and government professionals are upskilled as necessary.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the government wants to ensure that funding for cybersecurity is being directed as strategically as possible.

“The Turnbull government has committed $3.45 million to help address Australia’s shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals via the establishment of Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence to ensure they are effectively meeting our country’s future needs,” said Birmingham.

“In an important next step, we will also appoint a working group to review the courses currently on offer at universities and the eligibility and selection criteria for establishing the Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence.”

The Centres of Excellence encourage young people into cyber careers through the Australia Cyber Security Challenge and Women in Cyber networking event.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Lasha Kilasonia