Specialists at Experis Australia are expecting cybersecurity resources to remain in high demand in 2024 and beyond, despite a nation-wide cooling of hiring intention in the IT industry.
“Make no mistake – cyber is always going to be front-of-mind for our customers,” says Kevin Convey, General Manager of Experis Australia.
The 2022-2023 financial year was one of the worst for cybersecurity in Australia. According to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s Annual Report, there was a 5% year-on-year increase in the number of Notifiable Data Breaches, with 70% of the 895 reports received being a direct result of malicious or criminal attack.
Meanwhile, cyber talent scarcity is at an all-time high in Australia. Migration of technology resources remains stagnant after COVID, and the Australian market struggles to upskill and attract the right cyber talent.
While business leaders are continuing to shift their approach to the shortage of cybersecurity specialists in the private sector, the Federal Government is also preparing to implement regulatory changes, with the aim of making Australia “the world’s most cyber secure nation”.
In December of 2022, the Federal Minister for Cyber Security and Home Affairs Claire O’Neil, announced the development of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, seeking submissions from businesses and experts across the country outlining how the government should improve its cyber infrastructure, defence capabilities, and integration with the private sector.
Combined with the $5 billion investment from Microsoft into Australia’s cyber defence capabilities, it is expected the Strategy will drive renewed interest in the recruitment, training, and upskilling of over 30,000 workers and cyber security specialists across the country.
“I’m very much looking forward to reading the report,” says Kevin Convey. “It’s refreshing to see the government including businesses in the development process, and Microsoft’s investment will give the industry a massive boost. We all have a responsibility to keep our data safe, and hopefully, the extra attention will encourage more people to pursue a career in cyber.”
