CyberCX announces women in cybersec initiative

Australia’s largest cybersecurity services company, CyberCX, has launched a suite of new initiatives aimed at increasing the participation of women in the cybersecurity field.

The company will offer 12 cybersecurity scholarships for Australian university or TAFE cybersecurity programs, which will include a paid internship at CyberCX.

CyberCX has also announced a national partnership with the Australian Women’s Security Network and a strategic partnership with the Australian Women in Security Awards to help promote participation in the field.

Finally, the company has agreed to become a platinum sponsor of Australian women’s infosec training conference 0xCC.

CyberCX CEO John Paitaridis said the company has committed to becoming the region’s leading cybersecurity employer for women.

“It’s clear the local cybersecurity industry has an issue in recruiting and retaining women. Currently, women hold just 24% of roles in the cybersecurity sector,” he said.

“Not only do we need to address this critical challenge to close skills gaps, but we also need to need to ensure diversity within the industry if we’re to effectively combat the pervasive cyber threats that confront Australian businesses and government.”

Applications for the scholarships will open in August next year.

The announcement comes in the wake of new government-commissioned research showing that women accounted for just 21% of STEM enrolments and 23% of completions in 2018, and only 14% of STEM qualified occupations were filled by women in 2019.

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