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Australia’s existing cybersecurity talent pool is smaller than people thought, a new report has found.
The report states that Australia’s cybersecurity and technology skills gapAn analysis by security provider StickmanCyber based on Australian Bureau of Statistics census and labour force data shows there is a shortage of 10,000 technology jobs across Australia. There is only one cybersecurity professional for every 240 Australian businesses.
The shortage of safety professionals in Australia is causing A series of recent data breaches and increases the risk of future cybersecurity incidents.
The current state of IT skills in Australia
According to the report, several factors contribute to the IT skills gap.
First, the rapid pace of technological change and the evolving nature of cyber threats have led to an increased demand for professionals with highly specialized knowledge that is not necessarily easy to develop within the existing workforce.
As a result, the supply of people with these skills exceeds the demand.
As StickmanCyber CEO Ajay Unni told TechRepublic: “Cybersecurity is a relatively new discipline, having only emerged in the last decade. It requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines technical expertise with strategic oversight. Unfortunately, the talent pool with this unique skill set is limited, and larger organizations tend to be better able to snatch up these professionals than smaller ones.”
Impact on Businesses
Skill shortages are particularly challenging for small and medium-sized businesses, which often lack the resources of larger companies and struggle to compete. Wage arms raceAs a result, they are increasingly turning to managed security service providers to fill the gap.
Companies are becoming more comfortable with this approach, Unni said.
“Cybersecurity outsourcing is becoming as common as outsourcing IT, bookkeeping and legal functions,” he explains. “But for this outsourcing to be effective, organizations need to set clear goals and define the scope of work. This ensures they get high-quality results at a reasonable cost.”
However, relying solely on MSSPs is not a sustainable long-term solution. Managed services work best in partnership with internal teams, and SMBs still need to find ways to develop internal capabilities to manage and mitigate cyber risks. This requires a strategic focus on training and upskilling existing employees, as well as attracting new talent into the field.
Government measures and their effectiveness
Meanwhile, the Australian government has recognised the importance of cybersecurity and has launched several initiatives to address the skills gap. These efforts include the establishment of multiple agencies at both the federal and state levels and the appointment of a national cybersecurity coordinator.
However, As TechRepublic previously pointed outthis interest and commitment to cybersecurity could serve as a bona fide catalyst for a deeper skills challenge.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of these efforts remains to be determined. As Unni puts it, “While these initiatives are positive, they are often poorly coordinated. The multitude of agencies can result in fragmented efforts.”
“We really need to take a more unified approach to developing skills, particularly in rural and remote areas where training and resources are limited.”
Short-term solution: Filling the immediate gap
Unni said Australian organisations, educational institutions and the government needed to coordinate short- and long-term solutions to these challenges. In the short term, small cybersecurity companies could mentor new graduates and provide them with practical experience.
“Small companies should take care of new graduates and train them,” said Unni. “Big companies usually have graduate programs, but these programs are often too competitive and difficult to get into. Small companies can provide more personalized guidance and help bridge the gap between education and industry requirements.”
He also suggested that the government provide internship opportunities in cybersecurity institutions to encourage graduates to enter the field. “This will provide valuable real-world experience and help build a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to meet the needs of the industry,” Unni noted.
Long-term strategy: building a sustainable workforce
At the same time, properly addressing the IT talent shortage requires a long-term, multifaceted approach. Educational institutions can play a key role by updating their curriculum to reflect the latest developments in cybersecurity. This includes not only technical skills, but also critical thinking, problem solving, and strategic planning.
Furthermore, there is an urgent need to make the cybersecurity field more inclusive. Women are still severely underrepresented in the industry. As research by StickmanCyber points out, only 16% of cybersecurity professionals are women.
This trend must be reversed in order to fully utilize existing talent resources.
“I’ve been in the IT and cyber industry for over 35 years and have worked with many women who are doing very well in their jobs,” said Unni. “We see no reason why this policy should not be rolled out across the industry. Our national cybersecurity coordinator is a woman and I hope this will encourage more women to enter the industry.”
Australia has dug itself into a hole by being slow to make progress on cybersecurity. Tackling this problem will require a massive effort. It means efforts across the private and public sectors to invest in education, provide targeted training programs, and create pathways for disadvantaged groups to enter the field.
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