On
Jan 25, Australia announced the launch of the first National TAFE Cybersecurity
Program. The announcement was made by Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity
Angus Taylor and Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen
Andrews MP at the Parliament House, Canberra.
According
to the press release by Australian
Cyber Security Growth Network (AustCyber or ACSGN), the skills-based cybersecurity
certificate and diploma level qualifications are to be delivered by technical
and further education institution (TAFEs) across the country in 2018.
These
TAFEs include Box Hill Institute (VIC), Canberra Institute of Technology (ACT),
TAFE NSW, TAFE Queensland, TAFE Western Australia (South Metropolitan & North
Metropolitan), TAFE South Australia.
According
to the Cyber
Security Sector Competitiveness Plan by AustCyber last year, it is
conservatively estimated that Australia will need at least 11,000 additional cybersecurity
technicians.
To
address shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals in Australia, the TAFE Cybersecurity
Program has been developed in close collaboration with industry partners to
provide practical, hands-on skills aligned with industry needs.
For
example, the Certificate IV in Cyber Security 22334VIC and Advanced Diploma of
Cyber Security 22445VIC courses are practical, non-degree courses that students
can complete on-the-job.
Industry
partners working with the TAFE Cybersecurity Program include the National
Australia Bank (NAB), Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ Bank, nbnco, Cisco
Australia and New Zealand, REA Group, BAE Systems, Telstra, Deloitte, CITT, the
Australian Information Security Association and ISACA.
With
increasing threat from malicious cyber activity, there is a dramatic increase
in demand for cybersecurity workforce and solutions. Over the next decade, Australia’s
cybersecurity industry is expected to grow triple in size, with revenue soaring
to at least A$6 billion by 2026.
“An appropriately skilled and educated cyber
security workforce is critical to Australia's ability to capitalise on this
growth opportunity at the same time as improving Australia’s cyber resilience”
AustCyber CEO Craig Davies said in the press statement.
This
new announcement follows the previously
reported TAFE partnership to develop single national approach for tackling
cybersecurity skills gap last year.
