You can join Australia’s cyber workforce
Cyber Gap Program wants 300 recruits for the next intake in 2022.
By Bernadette Wright
13 Oct 2021
Highlights
- The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is looking for new recruits to enhance Australia’s sovereign cyber workforce through its ADF Cyber Gap Program.
- The ADF Cyber Gap Program, which is part of a $41 million Government initiative, aims to train and attract 800 cyber experts. The successful momentum of the program is largely due to the calibre of participants that have signed up for the past two intakes since its launch in 2019.
Australian citizens studying in a cyber-related course are eligible to apply, with the program providing financial support, mentoring, access to online cyber skills learning and challenges, and a unique exposure to cyber-careers in Defence.
Over the past two years, Australia’s cyber adversaries have become more proficient, with the probability and severity of cyber-attacks growing due to our increased dependence on new information technology platforms and interconnected devices and systems. This has been felt not only in Australia but worldwide. Increasing our skilled and diverse Australian sovereign cyber workforce is vital now, more than ever before.
The Government has asked Defence to provide leadership in uplifting Australia’s national cyber workforce through the ADF Cyber Gap Program where benefits flow to Defence and our nation.
Head of Information Warfare, Major General Susan Coyle said Defence hopes to identify and recruit the best and brightest people into a lifelong career stream that will skilfully shape and control an increasingly software-defined, artificially intelligent cyberspace.
“We need to attract people who might want to cross-skill and change their career path, perhaps people with a legal background, or who have a general sciences background that might want to take on a graduate certificate, and come out with real credentials, real experience, and real knowledge in the area of cyber, Major General Coyle said.
“Defence needs to quickly grow our capacity to expand the depth of our cyberspace workforce.”
The ADF Cyber Gap Program will support participants by providing them with an opportunity to enhance their cyber skills and progress their career in a cyber-related role.
The program provides participants with a range of benefits including:
- generous financial support to cover approved course fees
- an academic allowance for textbooks and computer equipment
- access to online cyber skills learning modules and challenges
- Defence career mentoring sessions
- as well as networking and experience opportunities in Defence
Participants will also receive a professional membership to the Australian Computer Society (ACS). ACS certifications are essential in supporting the development and recognition of our Australian sovereign cyber workforce.
To apply for next year’s program which commences in January, you must be studying – or are about to study – a relevant cyber-related course in 2022, which includes TAFE certificates, graduate diplomas, and bachelor or masters degrees.
There is no obligation for people who complete the program to join Defence or the Australian Public Service.
Major General Susan Coyle said, “We’re not just looking for people who have just left school or someone completing their bachelor’s degree. We are looking for people who want to advance their cyber skills, gain employment and contribute towards our national security mission”.
Applications for the ADF Cyber Gap Program close 31 October 2021.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can gain great cyber experience while completing your studies, click here.
Find out more about ACS Membership benefits and upcoming events.