Researching gendered barriers in cyber security

Help us shape a safer, fairer cyber industry

Cyber security has high barriers to entry, and women and gender diverse people are often excluded from or marginalised in the cyber workplace.

This initiative seeks to identify and understand the barriers to women and gender diverse people’s participation, progression and retention in cyber security roles in Australia.

As part of this industry research, we conducted a survey to understand these barriers. We surveyed anyone currently working in or that has worked in cyber security in Australia, as well as people who are trying to move into a cyber security role in Australia.

The survey closed on Monday 25 August.

Your responses will inform our research, which will be published in late 2025. Our public report will include actionable recommendations to increase the participation of women and gender diverse people in cyber security in Australia.

Your responses will also inform the Cyber5050 partnership over the next two years. Cyber5050 is a collaborative partnership between FW, CyberCX, the Australian Women in Security Network, the Australian Services Union and the Canberra Institute of Technology.