CYBER5050

Gender equity in cyber security

Leadership training for future cyber leaders

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Cyber5050 is a collaborative partnership between FW, CyberCX, the Australian Women in Security Network, the Australian Services Union and the Canberra Institute of Technology.

Funded by the Australian Federal Government’s Building Women’s Careers Grant, Cyber5050 will deliver several initiatives over two years to drive cultural and structural change in the cyber security industry.

What we do

We know that diversity leads to better decision-making, more inclusive teams, increased innovation and better business outcomes. In Australia, women make up 48% of the overall full-time workforce, but only 17% of employees in cyber security.

This is because the cyber security industry has high barriers to entry. Many jobs specify a need for technical, product or subject matter expertise. The financial costs and time commitment involved in cyber security study or certifications can be significant and these are often barriers for those with parenting and caregiving responsibilities.

The Cyber5050 partnership is committed to increasing gender diversity in the cyber security workforce. At FW, we are doing this through:

  • Industry Research: We will conduct a public survey to identify and evaluate barriers to women’s participation in cyber security and publish the results. This research will inform actionable recommendations to increase the participation of women and gender diverse people in the industry.
  • Cyber Accelerator: A 12-month, self-paced online program that helps women and gender diverse people build confidence, leadership, and communication skills. It also offers networking opportunities tailored to participants working in male-dominated fields. Learn more
  • Cyber Change Makers: A program for men and gender diverse people to enhance their understanding of inclusive workplaces, drive cultural change, and foster open dialogue around gender equality in cyber security. Learn more
  • Cyber Fundamentals microcredential: Run by our partners, this is an introductory training course providing foundational knowledge of key cyber security concepts and considerations.
  • TAFE Education Pathway: Run by our partners, this is an opportunity to receive recognition of prior learning credits towards a Certificate IV in Cyber Security, including the chance to receive a fully funded qualification.
  • Job Opportunities: Ongoing, paid employment through the CyberCX Academy. Learn more.

What training is available to women and gender diverse people?

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Our partner CyberCX is making their award-winning Cyber Fundamentals microcredential available to 300 women and gender diverse people between 2025 and 2027. Training will be held online, and it will be delivered five days a week (Monday to Friday) over four weeks. Participants do not need previous cyber security training, knowledge or work experience.

All women and gender diverse people who complete the Cyber Fundamentals microcredential will automatically be invited to participate in FW’s Cyber Accelerator.

Cyber Accelerator is a 12-month program designed for busy women and gender diverse people who need flexibility, and participants can engage with the training at a time convenient for them.

Learn more about Accelerator

What training is available to men and gender diverse people?

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Cyber Change Makers is a half-day workshop exploring fairness and inclusion in the cyber security industry. It helps men and gender diverse people working in cyber security to create work cultures that attract and retain top talent, including women.

Change Makers is not a lecture, it is a dynamic workshop that responds to the needs of participants. As a result of the workshop, participants will:

  • Understand how inclusive workplaces benefit individuals, teams and organisations in cyber security
  • Reflect on the different ways people experience fairness and equity in the workplace, including the pay and leadership gaps, as well as gender stereotypes and mental health
  • Build strategies to mitigate unconscious bias and systemic risk at all stages of the employment cycle
  • Explore current policy developments and legislative requirements
  • Consider how their team and/or organisation is addressing fairness and inclusion
  • Strategise how their team and/or organisation can make further improvements.
Learn more about Change Makers

FAQs

The Cyber5050 initiatives - including the programs run by FW, which are Cyber Accelerator and Cyber Change Makers - are funded by the Australian Government. There are no costs for eligible participants.

Contact us

For more information on Cyber Accelerator and Cyber Change Makers, contact [email protected].

For more information on other parts of the Cyber5050 partnership, contact our partner CyberCX at [email protected].