Australia’s cyber security growth network, AustCyber, has launched the Australian Cyber Security Professionalisation Program (ACSP) to professionalize the country’s cyber security industry to meet global standards. The program aims to develop the local cybersecurity ecosystem by establishing world-leading career pathways for cybersecurity professionals.

A co-design team comprising cyber security experts, universities, and industry associations will design and develop the ACSP. The team includes the University of South Australia SmartSat CRC Chair of Cybersecurity Jill Slay, KordaMentha Executive Director Tony Vizza, and AustCyber Group Executive Jason Murrell. Implementing the ACSP will help standardize and repair Australia’s fragmented cybersecurity industry, which lacks a clear career pathway for growth and development.

The ACSP co-design team has conducted extensive qualitative research over the past few months to understand customer experience and identify gaps in the local cybersecurity ecosystem. Engagements with key stakeholders, employers, and employees have been carried out to determine the critical elements of career and industry professionals that should be represented in the first edition of the ACSP. The program will then undergo extensive optimization testing to meet international cybersecurity standards.

By defining career and education pathways through an accredited program, the ACSP will increase professional recognition and bring consistency to the definition of cyber security roles in Australia. The shared understanding of critical skills, knowledge, and experience that constitute a cyber security professional amongst employers and employees will ultimately result in a safer, more cyber-secure business environment and increased trust and confidence for both the employer and employee in the industry.

KordaMentha Executive Director Tony Vizza states, “The overall cyber security landscape will get worse before it gets better, with the scale of risk and vulnerability rising in tandem with our online existence. We need to increase the number of Australians entering the sector to help secure our digital presence and ensure employees graduating from the tertiary system are equipped with the skills and capabilities required as a working cyber security professional.”

The ACSP co-design team includes • Professor Jill Slay, (ISC)2, Vice Chairperson of the Board • Tony Vizza, KordaMentha, Executive Director Cybersecurity • Professor Matt Warren, RMIT University, Centre for Cyber Security Research & Innovation Director • Jo-Stewart Rattray, ISACA, Former Global Board Director, Oceania Regional Ambassador • Rupert Grayston, Australian Computer Society (ACS), Director Capability • Damien Manuel, Australian Information Security Association (AISA), Chairperson • Jo Cave, TAFEcyber, General Manager • Rachel Bailes, Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), Head of Policy • Scarlett McDermott, Tech Council of Australia, Head of Ecosystem Capability • Kathleen Moorby, AustCyber, Director Programs.

The ACSP co-design team is optimistic that the program will strengthen the cybersecurity industry and help Australia climb the cybersecurity rankings. AustCyber Group Executive Jason Murrell said, “We’re ranked thirty-nine in the world right now for the quality of our cyber security industry. Our goal with the ACSP is to be in the top five within the next decade. Cyber security is one of the most important industries for us to strengthen, and we haven’t had a clear pathway for professional growth and development in Australia has left us extremely vulnerable. We as a collective want to give members of the cyber security industry both locally and abroad a clear pathway of standards to work towards.”

Written by: Jill Walsh

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