Cyber5050

The Cyber5050 partnership

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

The partnership is funded by the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers program, and runs from 2025 to 2027. It delivers training, research and job pathways that drive cultural and structural change across the cyber security industry.

Why gender equity in cyber security matters

Women make up 48% of Australia’s full-time workforce. However, only 17% of people working in cyber security are women.

That gap costs the industry. Diverse teams make better decisions, innovate more and deliver better business outcomes. At a time when Australia needs more cyber security professionals, the industry can’t afford to overlook half the talent pool.

The barriers are well known:

First, many roles demand technical, product or subject-matter expertise from day one.
Second, study and certifications are expensive and time-consuming.
Finally, those costs hit hardest for people with parenting and caring responsibilities.

For this reason, Cyber5050 tackles these barriers from both sides. It supports women to enter, progress and stay in cyber security, and it helps the people who lead cyber teams build workplaces where women want to stay.

What Cyber5050 offers

The Cyber5050 partnership is committed to increasing gender diversity in the cybersecurity workforce.

At FW, we are doing this through:

Industry Research: We launched Decoding Cyber Security in May 2026. This public research supports structural change in the sector, and helps women to enter, progress and stay in cyber roles. Learn more
Cyber Accelerator: A 12-month, self-paced online program that helps women and gender diverse people build confidence, leadership, and communication skills. Due to overwhelming demand, we have closed the program. 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. Join us for the free Cyber Change Makers Conference, online on Wednesday 11 November 2026. Learn more

What training is available to women and gender diverse people?

Cyber Accelerator is a 12-month program designed for busy women and gender diverse people looking to enter the cybersecurity industry in Australia.

More than 300 women have enrolled in this in-demand program. However, due to overwhelming demand, we have closed enrolments in the Cyber Accelerator.

Learn more about the Cyber Accelerator

What training is available to men and gender diverse people?

Cyber Change Makers explores 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.

On Wednesday 11 November 2026, we are bringing Cyber Change Makers together in a one-day online conference. You’ll hear from cyber leaders, get advice from experienced mentors in small groups, and, as a result, you will leave with practical strategies to use in your team the next day.

Learn more about the Cyber Change Makers Conference