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Australian Computer Society

Shape the future of cyber security

 

We're inviting all industry sectors and wider tech communities: learners, earners, educators and the tech curious to share your insights. 

 

Help us shape the future of the cyber security profession in Australia.

Register your interest

 

CyberPath: Paving the Way Forward for Cyber Professionals

 

An industry-wide collaboration project designed to inform a pilot cybersecurity professionalisation scheme.

 

Privacy Agreement *

Privacy Collection Notice - Growing & Professionalising Cyber Security Industry Program

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is collecting your personal information for the purpose of contacting you to explore potential opportunities to be involved in the Growing & Professionalising Cyber Security Industry Program consultation.

This notice explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how it will be used and shared, and your privacy rights.

We are collecting your name and email  address, and you can also choose to provide your phone number, job title, organisation name, and any consultation responses or comments.

We are collecting your information so that ACS may contact you and invite you to participate in consultations or engagement activities related to the Growing & Professionalising Cyber Security Industry Program.

Your information and responses may also be used, together with those of other participants, to inform the development of program outputs such as frameworks, models, reports, and industry insights.

If you choose not to provide your contact information or responses, we may not be able to contact you to participate in the consultation or to include your input in the development of the program outputs.

Your personal information and responses may be shared with ACS’s program consortium partners and contractors solely for the purpose of this project:

  • Australian Information Security Association (AISA)
  • Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN)
  • Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C)

All partners are required to handle your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and applicable data protection standards.

Your personal information will be securely deleted at the conclusion of the project, no later than 30 November 2027.

You can read more about how ACS handles your personal information, including how to access or correct your information and how to make a complaint, in our Privacy Policy.

 

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*Note: All fields marked with an (*) are mandatory.

The professionalisation of cyber security will benefit consumers, businesses and Australia

Consumer confidence

Enhance public trust in digital systems

Business capability

Advance professionals’ skills and knowledge

Global competitiveness

Position Australia as a secure place to do business

Building a cyber-safe Australia

 

As the cyber security industry matures and the need for clarity regarding skills and qualifications becomes increasingly urgent, we’re conducting an industry-wide collaboration project called CyberPath: Paving the way forward for Cyber Professionals.

 

By contributing to the project, you’ll help shape a professionalisation pilot to address the needs of practitioners, employers, educators and learners.

 

Professionalisation is key to the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030 and is co-funded by the Department of Home Affairs.

Key project outcomes

 

A pilot cyber security professionalisation scheme and standards developed in collaboration with industry.

 

Clearer professional development pathways and recognition of continuous learning for cyber security professionals and new entrants to the industry.

 

Guidance for employers and employees regarding skills expectations for accredited cyber security professionals, now and as technology evolves.

 

Improved workforce mobility by making it easier to transfer skills and experience between employers.

 

Greater credibility and trust in the cyber security profession.

 

Register your interest

Our consortium partners

“With threats evolving faster than ever, we must clearly define roles, skills, and career pathways for the cyber workforce. This consortium is working closely with industry and the entire ecosystem to build a rigorous framework and a pilot model that will help close the gap in cyber capability, recognition and professionalisation to keep Australia safe.”

 

Josh Griggs
ACS CEO

"The consortium is helping to professionalise Australia’s cyber security workforce and grow the next generation of cyber security leaders.”

 

Ian Oppermann
Chair of the Growing and Professionalising Cyber Security Program Steering Committee

“We are committed to ensuring that all efforts throughout the project are inclusive by design, consider all types of personas/pathways in our sector, and is carried out in a considered, respectful, and collaborative manner.”

 

Jacqui Loustau
Founder and CEO, AWSN

"Aus3C is delighted to be a consortium partner in this industry-shaping program. We look forward to playing our part and reflecting the views of our members.”

 

Guy Roberts
Interim CEO, Aus3C

"The Australian Information Security Association (AISA) recognises the immense trust placed in the cyber security community to protect Australia's digital systems. We are proud to represent the voice of our members, and all cyber practitioners, in the design of this pilot.”

 

Michael Burchell
Chair, AISA

FAQs

CyberPath: Paving the way forward for Cyber Professionals is a 24-month pilot program designed to professionalise Australia’s cyber security workforce. It brings together industry leaders, educators and professionals to shape a national approach to cyber security career development and standards.

CyberPath: Paving the way forward for Cyber Professionals aims to strengthen Australia’s cyber security capabilities by developing clear, trusted professional standards. It will help employers, job seekers and educators align around shared expectations of cyber security skills and qualifications.

CyberPath: Paving the way forward for Cyber Professionals is led by a consortium of industry organisations that includes ACS (Australian Computer Society, Australian Information Security Association (AISA), Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C) and Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN). Together, the consortium will deliver an industry-led approach to strengthening Australia’s cyber security profession.

The pilot will design and test a professionalisation scheme that: defines clear career and education pathways in cyber security, establishes standards and guidance for accredited professionals, reduces barriers to entry and supports a more inclusive workforce and builds a plan to scale the scheme beyond the pilot.

The CyberPath: Paving the way forward for Cyber Professionals pilot will run for 24 months. During this time, the consortium will engage with industry and the wider tech community before recommending how it should continue.

Employers will gain greater confidence in the skills and qualifications of cyber security professionals. The scheme will also help businesses identify trusted talent, plan workforce development, and contribute to a stronger national cyber security capability.

Professionals will have clearer pathways for career progression, recognition of their skills, and access to guidance on education and training. The scheme also aims to make it easier for new entrants to join the cyber security workforce.

CyberPath: Paving the way forward for Cyber Professionals is committed to attracting and retaining diverse talent. The pilot will explore ways to remove barriers to entry, support alternative career pathways, and promote inclusive workplace cultures across the cyber security sector.

You can register your interest to be part of the consultation process. Participants may contribute through surveys, workshops, working groups or by providing feedback on the proposed framework.

CyberPath: Paving the way forward for Cyber Professionals welcomes input from: cyber security professionals, industry leaders and business owners, CIOs, CTOs and HR directors, educators and training providers and students and career changers interested in cyber security.

At the end of the 24-month pilot, an evaluation will be completed. A scaling plan will be developed to expand industry participation and establish an independent funding model that keeps access open and affordable.

Success will be measured through the pilot’s ability to: create an effective, industry-endorsed professionalisation framework, increase employer confidence in cyber security qualifications, support career pathways and diversity in the workforce and deliver a sustainable plan for the future.