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  • Why has Managed File Transfer become a “Must-Have”? | GSA

    < News Why has Managed File Transfer become a “Must-Have”? 29 Apr 2025 The rise and rise of interconnected business and cloud data storage has made it more challenging than ever for organisations to secure their electronic perimeters. It’s no longer enough to monitor on-premise systems and internal networks. For the value of data to be unlocked, it must be active. However, the very act of transmitting your valued data exposes it to increased risk of interception, hijack and exploitation. Any electronic exchange with business partners, suppliers and customers is at risk. Storing and retrieving data with cloud providers further exacerbates that risk. Cyber Crime Wave In 2024, cybercrime cost Australian organisations an average $4.2M per breach, a significant increase from previous years. Small businesses reported an average cost of $49,600 per cybercrime incident, while individuals reported losses averaging $30,700. The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) received over 87,000 cybercrime reports during the year. It’s generally easier to build cyber security defences around static, on-premise data. However, that leaves the majority of business data interactions vulnerable. This is where a Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution – enabling more secure and more efficient data sharing – plays a crucial role. MFT in the Defensive Line MFT protects the movement of messages, data and files inside and outside of an organisation. And as a bonus, it also makes that movement more efficient and reliable, outpacing and outperforming applications such as file transfer protocol (FTP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and secure file transfer protocol (SFTP). When you consider the advantages MFT offers modern, data-driven enterprises, it’s unsurprising that its popularity continues to surge past its 2024 estimated global value of $12.6B. Encryption : MFT employs robust encryption algorithms, reducing the risk of data breaches during transit. Features like Access Controls, and Multi-factor Authentication, safeguard sensitive information from unauthorised access. Efficiency : MFT automates repetitive tasks. This not only reduces human error, it saves significant employee time. Through scheduling of file transfers, monitoring of progress, and automatic error-handling, it enables a significant boost to operational efficiency. Compliance : In industries with strict regulatory requirements, MFT helps companies meet compliance standards (e.g. HIPAA and GDPR) by automatically maintaining detailed logs and audit trails. Scalability : Through its ability to handle large file transfers and an ever-growing number of users, MFT is able to grow in sync with an organisation's needs, while maintaining superior performance. Collaboration : In addition to improving business processes within an organisation, MFT facilitates seamless collaboration with external partners, suppliers, and customers, fostering strong relationships built on shared trust and reliability. Local MFT Experts At Generic Systems Australia we have decades of experience installing and customising MFT solutions to suit the needs of Australian and New Zealand businesses. If you’d like to explore how MFT can boost your organisation’s security and efficiency, please feel welcome to get in touch . I’m always ready to have a broad-ranging, no-obligation discussion. If you’d like, I can even organise a quick proof-of-concept to demonstrate how MFT can be easily tailored to your organisation’s specific needs. At Generic Systems Australia, we’re your local experts in Managed File Transfer. Previous Next

  • Survive the Cyber Security Staff Drought | GSA

    < News Survive the Cyber Security Staff Drought 3 Sept 2024 Australian organisations are still struggling to recruit and train sufficient cyber security specialists to keep their valuable data safe. A report by government-funded industry body AustCyber predicted that Australia would need an extra 4800 cyber security workers each year to avoid a significant shortfall by 2030. It warned that the local industry is lagging those of other countries, urging further private sector investment in the area. AustCyber found that 74% of cyber security professionals were being impacted by non-availability of suitably qualified staff. Only 8.8% rated Australia’s cyber security sector as “highly competitive”, while 21% rated the local industry as “not competitive” compared to other global markets. 20% Positions Vacant The Australian Government’s 2023 Skills Priority List shows cyber security roles as among the highest-ranked skills with a national shortage. According to AustCyber, cyber security architects are the most in-demand cyber security role, followed by engineers and analysts. While there were ~51,300 dedicated cyber security workers in Australia last year, a staggering 12,500 jobs had remained vacant. The workforce needs to grow by 66% to reach the total of 85,000 who would be required by 2030. Speaking to The Australian Financial Review earlier this year, the RMIT’s Research Director from the Centre of Cyber Security, Matthew Warren, said: “We cannot run before we walk, and right now the Australian cyber security industry does not have the depth of dedicated, skilled cyber security workers required to strengthen Australia’s security posture against the increasing sophistication, ferocity and prevalence of cyber security threat actors.” AustCyber chief executive Chris Kirk said that cyber security was now a “non-negotiable, impacting every Australian”. Early Education + a Wider Funnel While there’s been a 30% year-on-year growth in the number of people studying cyber security at university, the funnel for future workers needs to be wider for AustCyber’s target to be met. Said Kirk: “We really need to get cyber into the education system quite early, like primary school. And, at the speed of which the industry moves, your skill set can be severely challenged very quickly. So it’s extremely important we upskill and keep globally relevant the professionals in these jobs.” Surviving Staff Shortfalls Organisations struggling to recruit cyber security specialists should consider how automation can augment and relieve the load being carried by their existing cyber security specialists. For example, advanced Managed File Transfer solutions, such as GoAnywhere MFT , can centrally manage and secure file transfers organisation-wide. Recognised for its class-leading features, GoAnywhere frees up your cyber security specialists, working in the background to comprehensively mitigate the risks of storing and moving your data, both within and outside your organisation. Through its centralised control, encryption, and auditing capabilities, GoAnywhere replaces risky traditional approaches and improves productivity. Its versatility, security, ease of use, and budget-friendliness have made it a must-have solution for organisations committed to protecting their information assets. Expert Local Advice On Hand At Generic Systems Australia , we’re Australia’s and the Asia-Pacific region’s experts on Managed File Transfer solutions. If you’d like a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about how we could help you augment your cyber security team’s efforts, please feel welcome to get in touch . Previous Next

  • New Security Standards for NZ Government Agencies | GSA

    < News New Security Standards for NZ Government Agencies 24 June 2025 New Zealand's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has drafted Cyber Security Standards which government agencies will be required to adopt and implement later this year. The new standards outline the minimum cybersecurity practices that agencies must adopt for their business-critical and external-facing systems. In general terms, they require that cyber security policies, capabilities, controls, and practices must be well-formed and repeatable. The Standards 10 draft Standards are currently being discussed with agencies and industry partners as part of pre-implementation consultation and feedback gathering. They are: 1. Security Awareness 2. Risk Management 3. Assets and their Importance 4. Secure Software Configuration 5. Patching 6. Multi-factor Authentication 7. Detect Unusual Behaviour 8. Least Privilege 9. Data Recovery 10. Response Planning Maturity Model The draft Standards feature a built-in Capability Maturity Model (CMM) to help agencies standardise how they measure, track and improve their cyber risk management over time. CMM1 “Informal”: Security capability may be ad-hoc, unmanaged or unpredictable. Success may rely on individuals rather than institutional capability. CMM2 “Planned and Tracked”: Security capability is well formed in designated business units. The security policies, capabilities, control and practices are in place and repeatable. They are designed to meet the organisation’s core security requirements. CMM3 “Standardised”: Security capability is standardised, integrated, understood and followed consistently across the enterprise. Security is well-governed and managed at an enterprise level. CMM4 “Quantitatively Controlled”: Security capability and performance is measured, monitored and objectively and quantitively controlled. Security measures are hardened in response to performance alerts. Security is a strategic focus for the organisation. CMM5 “Optimising”: Security capability adapts to a dynamic, high risk operating environment. Practices are generally recognised as world-leading and have near real-time measurement and response mechanisms. Agencies will be required to meet at least Capability Maturity Model level two (CMM2) for their business-critical and external-facing systems. Consultation Phase underway The NCSC began consulting with affected agencies and industry partners on 16 June. Discussions will continue until 4 July 2025, with final Standards planned for publication in October 2025. Agencies will be required to report on their implementation of the standards as part of Protective Security Requirements reporting process (a framework for managing security within NZ government organisations) in April 2026. The initial draft of the NCSC’s Minimum Cyber Security Standards are available for download from the NCSC website . MFT as a Baseline Protection Tactic NZ organisations seeking to step up to the new minimum standards should carefully consider installing a Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution as an initial step. This relatively simple enhancement to IT systems puts organisations miles ahead of businesses still using risky and outdated FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or email to transfer files. MFT centralises data transfer and - more importantly - applies policies to data to protect it from threats such as inbound malware and employees sending files via ad hoc platforms outside the defensive perimeter (e.g. Google Drive and Dropbox). MFT has the built-in advantage of “forcing” the application of policies designed to better protect data such as encryption, monitoring, and auditing. Expertise Close at Hand No-one better understands local MFT needs and best practices than Generic Systems Australia. Our team has decades of experience helping organisations implement the world’s leading MFT solution. Our Migration Service makes the transition even easier for busy agencies who would rather focus on their core mission than their IT systems. If you’d like a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about how we could help you simply and affordably adopt an advanced MFT solution, please feel welcome to get in touch. At Generic Systems Australia, we’re your local experts in Secure Managed File Transfer. Previous Next

  • LOCAL BUYERS GUIDE | GSA

    MFT Local Buyer's Guide Finding the right Managed File Transfer solution for your organisation may not be easy... with dozens of factors to consider - including industry and government compliance requirements, cloud vs on-prem solutions, critical cybersecurity protections, pricing models and more. In this MFT Local Buyer’s Guide, you’ll find the key considerations, the questions you need to ask vendors, and a wealth of other advice to help you successfully evaluate MFT solutions. To receive our Local Buyers' Guide, simply submit your email address below: First name Last name Enter your email address Phone You'll receive the Buyers' Guide shortly! RESOURCES Receive Report HOME

  • Increased 3rd Party Data Sharing Increases Data Theft Risk | GSA

    < News Increased 3rd Party Data Sharing Increases Data Theft Risk 29 July 2024 The inability to track, control and report sensitive content shared with external contacts is a substantial risk for modern enterprises. And that risk appears to be rapidly escalating, as two-thirds of organisations each exchange sensitive data with more than a thousand third parties. These are some of the key findings from a survey conducted recently by Kiteworks, a US-based data security firm. Sensitive Content Kiteworks defines “sensitive content” as the wide variety of content commonly targeted by cyberthieves. It’s content which poses a significant threat to an organisation once bad actors get their hands on it. Sensitive content includes the data of customers and employees — personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), and payment card industry (PCI) data. It also includes an organisation’s intellectual property (IP), legal communications and documents, financials, mergers and acquisitions data, and other types of private and confidential information. Kiteworks says that the key problem with sensitive content is how it does not stay in one place. During daily operations, it is shared not only among employees, but also with partners, suppliers, contractors, legal counsel, accountants, auditors, and more. More Comms Channels = More Risk Efficient organisations are always searching for more “frictionless” ways to move their data. However, as their number of communication channels with external parties grows, so too does the potential opportunity for bad actors to intercept and steal the data. That escalating risk is borne out by Kiteworks’ analysis. They found that organisations with more than seven communication tools experience ten plus data breaches, which is 3.5 times higher than the aggregate of those experiencing one to ten breaches. File Size Limits Exacerbate Risks The file size limits imposed by many content communication tools are a key contributor to the risks of moving data. Frustrated employees simply trying to do their jobs will sometimes use insecure and unauthorised consumer-grade file sharing services to bypass organisational limitations. Even for those employees who always follow the rules, the resulting workarounds can trigger significant waste of staff time. More than 30% of organisations surveyed by Kiteworks needed to implement workarounds due to file size limits for email, file sharing, and managed file transfers over 50 times per month. Around 10% said they must do so over 100 times per month. IT Teams Stepping Up Switched-on IT teams are increasingly focused on addressing their organisation’s need to protect sensitive content. A popular solution is to unify communication tools and channels to secure sensitive content communications. Their primary drivers for change may vary – from protecting intellectual property and corporate secrets to mitigating litigation, avoiding regulatory violations and protecting their brand reputation – but the way they are addressing these risks is similar… Control Through Consolidation Consolidating communication tools onto a single platform needs to be a foundational element of an organisation’s cyber defences. By reducing the number of disparate tools used for content communication, they can significantly lower the risk of data breaches and improve operational efficiency. Kiteworks’ survey shows that organisations with fewer communication tools experience fewer breaches. Tool consolidation significantly enhances security. MFT Consolidates, Automates, Improves Efficiency Managed File Transfer (MFT) software is a powerful technology which comprehensively addresses the risks and challenges of moving information within an organisation, and with external suppliers, partners and customers. MFT simplifies the complexities of data transfer by offering centralised control, encryption, and auditing capabilities. A significant advance on traditional approaches, MFT provides enhanced security protocols, ensuring data privacy during transmission and storage. And it does so via a user-friendly interface, which is easy to use for even non-technical employees. In addition to consolidating the plethora of disparate data exchange channels employees create during an organisation’s evolution, MFT technology provides an array of organisation advantages: Security: MFT employs robust encryption algorithms, reducing the risk of data breaches during transit. Features like Access Controls, and Multi-factor Authentication, safeguard sensitive information from unauthorised access. No Size Limit Straitjacket: The best MFT solutions enable organisations to set file size limits appropriate to their teams’ needs. They also offer “persistence protocols” which ensure large files are fully transmitted to their intended destinations. Efficiency: MFT automates repetitive tasks. This not only reduces human error, it saves significant staff time. Through scheduling of file transfers, monitoring of progress, and automatic error-handling, it enables a significant boost to operational efficiency. Compliance: In industries with strict regulatory requirements, MFT helps companies meet compliance standards (e.g. HIPAA and GDPR) by automatically maintaining detailed logs and audit trails. Scalability: Through its ability to handle large file transfers and an ever-growing number of users, MFT is able to grow in sync with an organisation's needs, while maintaining superior performance. Collaboration: In addition to improving business processes within an organisation, MFT facilitates seamless collaboration with external partners, suppliers, and customers, fostering strong relationships built on shared trust and reliability. The Best MFT At Generic Systems Australia, we recommend the industry’s class-leading MFT solution, GoAnywhere MFT . GoAnywhere is consistently declared by independent experts to be the best-in-class MFT solution. Besides achieving the highest overall score in the MFT category, GoAnywhere is also ranked highest for Vendor Capability Satisfaction, including the key dimensions of: • Business Value Created • Breadth of Features • Quality of Features • Product Strategy and Rate of Improvement • Useability and Intuitiveness • Vendor Support • Ease of Data Integration • Ease of Customisation • Availability and Quality of Training, and • Ease of Implementation GoAnywhere MFT's combination of versatility, security, ease of use, and budget-friendliness has propelled it to the top of the MFT market. Gain Expert Local Advice At Generic Systems Australia , we’re Australia’s and the Asia-Pacific region’s experts on MFT in general, and GoAnywhere in particular. If you’d like an obligation-free discussion about how we could help you keep your organisation’s sensitive content safe, please feel welcome to get in touch . We’re always happy to have an obligation-free discussion, and even offer a free Proof of Concept. Previous Next

  • 5 Indicators You Need an MFT Solution | GSA

    < News 5 Indicators You Need an MFT Solution 5 May 2026 Every modern organisation is critically dependent on transferring sensitive data between employees, customers and trading partners. Just one wrong move by an employee - for example, failing to encrypt a sensitive file - could land you with a huge fine, and lose customers’ trust. So, it’s worth spending a moment to consider how your team is performing the regular, essential task of moving data around. And, to ask yourself: “Is it time they used a safer and more efficient way to transfer data?” Here are some of the key signs that your business is ready for a Managed File Transfer solution. Indicator #1 : Risky Old Tech Some organisations still rely on outdated protocols and clunky scripts to move precious data around. However, that increases the risk of human error, takes time better spent on other tasks, and is difficult to maintain. A Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution like GoAnywhere MFT is easy to use, easy to audit, requires little maintenance, and removes manual tasks from your stretched IT team’s To Do list. Sign #2 : Cybercriminal Incursions Your IT team are seeing exponential growth in attempted cybercrime incursions. So it’s more essential than ever before to secure your data and maintain a “circle of trust” with your supply chain partners and customers. A leading MFT, such as GoAnywhere MFT, employs the latest encryption algorithms to reduce the risk of data breaches during transit. Features like Access Control and Multi-factor Authentication safeguard sensitive information from unauthorised access. Sign #3 : Increased Compliance Requirements In response to escalating cybercrime, governments and industry regulators are imposing ever greater requirements on business to protect consumers’ personal data. From health data (hospital records, test results), to banking data (debit and credit card numbers, bank account details), to identity data (home address, government id), businesses that fail to take responsible measures to protect sensitive data face growing sanctions. A single breach may not only cost your organisation time and money to remediate, it may ruin your reputation. A leading MFT, such as GoAnywhere MFT, helps ensure your file transfers comply with regulatory requirements such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, HITECH, and GDPR. Features like auditing, reporting, role-based access, secure protocols, centralised security controls, encryption, and key management protect employee and consumer data from harmful security mishaps. Sign #4 : Reliance on the Cloud Many organisations have moved business processes to the cloud and now exchange files regularly with trading partners via cloud platforms. From streamlining and automating cloud file transfers to platforms like Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure, to integrating with popular web and cloud services like SharePoint and Google Drive, working with a partner in the cloud using an MFT is a smooth, reliable and safe process. Sign #5 : Changed Network Conditions A single hour of system downtime can cost a medium-sized business a six-figure sum. As organisations and trading partners become increasingly integrated, it’s critical that file transfers are performed without delay or disruption. An enterprise-calibre file transfer solution should have a high availability plan in place. The right solution will provide active-passive and active-active (i.e. clustering) methods for organisations who need to keep their processes running no matter the situation at hand. Clustering provides the best high availability by running multiple servers simultaneously. Therefore, if one goes down, file transfers and workflows will continue to run on other servers so communication with your trading partners won’t be interrupted. Reading the Indicators If any of these five indicators hold true for your business, it’s time to consider upgrading to a secure MFT such as GoAnywhere. The acknowledged leading software, GoAnywhere MFT is all-in-one solution, automating and encrypting file transfers from a centralised dashboard. It not only simplifies the completion of critical business initiatives, but also reduces the time spent on manual file transfers and in-house processes. GoAnywhere saves businesses time, money, and reputation. Local Expertise at Hand If you’d like to learn more about how GoAnywhere MFT could add to your organisation’s bottom line, please feel welcome to get in touch with me . Generic Systems Australia is the nation’s local expert in Managed File Transfer, and one of Fortra’s Top Ten MFT Partner’s globally. Previous Next

  • MFT'S ROLE IN BUISNESS : EBOOK | GSA

    “MFT's Role in Business: IT Leaders Weigh In” eBook A good way to learn the value of a Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution is to hear about it from those who use one. In Fortra’s eBook “MFT's Role in Business: IT Leaders Weigh In”, nine IT and security professionals share their experiences using Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT. To receive a complimentary copy of the eBook, simply send us your email address below: First name Last name Enter your email address Phone You'll receive the "MFT's Role in Business: IT Leaders Weigh In" eBook RESOURCES Receive Report HOME

  • Outdated Protocols Leave Precious Data Vulnerable | GSA

    < News Outdated Protocols Leave Precious Data Vulnerable 30 Oct 2024 Business today is critically dependant on highly interconnected systems. The ability to transfer files securely between those systems is crucial to operational integrity and efficiency. That’s why secure file transfer solutions, which protect against unauthorised access and interception, foster trust among stakeholders, and help ensure compliance with regulatory standards, are becoming a must-have for responsible IT departments. Surprisingly, there are still businesses who rely on outdated, insecure file transfer protocols such as FTP and email. It’s making them vulnerable to cyber criminals, who can exploit their lack of built-in protective security measures. Open to Interception FTP, for instance, lacks built-in encryption. Data travelling via FTP is vulnerable to interception and eavesdropping by malicious actors. This susceptibility compromises the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. Compounding this vulnerability is the transmission of user credentials in plain text during the FTP login process. Usernames and passwords, transmitted without encryption, can easily be intercepted by anyone with access to network traffic. This opens the door to unauthorised access across an organisation’s network, systems and sensitive data. Using FTP scripts and batch files in automated processes significantly exacerbates the inherent security risks of FTP. The scripts themselves often contain plaintext user IDs and passwords, providing an easy-to-read roadmap for hackers and malicious software to exploit sensitive information. Even when the FTP server is secure, leaving credentials exposed in scripts widens an organisation’s “attack surface” and compromises its security. Compliance Risk Compliance with regulatory standards is another key concern. Industries such as healthcare and finance are subject to increasingly stringent data security and privacy regulations. However, with its inherent vulnerabilities and lack of encryption, traditional FTP falls well short of meeting these compliance standards, exposing organisations to regulatory scrutiny and penalties. The risks extend beyond interception to full unauthorised redirection of data. Improperly configured or intercepted FTP connections can lead to data being redirected to unintended destinations, exposing sensitive information to unsanctioned parties and increasing the likelihood of data breaches. Moreover, traditional FTP lacks comprehensive logging and auditing capabilities, making it challenging for administrators to track and monitor file transfers. Without proper records, it’s even more difficult to identify and address security incidents or ensure compliance with security policies and regulations. The Cost of Outdated Protocols Vulnerable file transfer protocols may come at a huge cost to businesses - financially and operationally. Financial loss, reputational damage, loss of customer trust, legal penalties and compensation cases add the initial business disruption. The fallout from a breach may also require substantial resources for investigation, remediation, and recovery efforts, furthering the business disruption and loss of productivity. Securing File Transfers Managed File Transfer (MFT) software provides a comprehensive solution to address these modern challenges. It enhances data security through advanced features such as encryption, secure protocols, and identity authentication, ensuring sensitive data remains protected during transmission. Compliance with regulations is also facilitated by MFT’s auditing capabilities and detailed logs, helping businesses mitigate regulatory risks and build customer trust. MFT also boosts an organisation’s efficiency and productivity. It automates file transfers, integrates seamlessly with existing systems to eliminate any need for manual intervention. That in turn cuts the risk of human error and accelerates time-to-market. Scalable, Flexible, Centralised Scalability and flexibility are other benefits of MFT, supporting increased data volumes, new file formats, and emerging technologies. On-prem MFT can be easily supplemented by cloud-based MFT, offering virtually unlimited scalability. Centralised management and visibility further streamline operations by providing a unified platform for managing file transfers, and detailed insights into transfer status and performance. By addressing the evolving needs of modern businesses, MFT has become a critical element of IT infrastructure in today’s competitive digital landscape. Local MFT Expertise Available Generic Systems Australia are experts in helping companies deploy Managed File Transfer. We’ve assisted hundreds of organisations across Australia and New Zealand to secure their file transfers, keep cybercriminals at bay and improve their operational efficiency. If you’d like to discuss how we can help you, or check out GoAnywhere – the award winning MFT used by thousands of organisations worldwide - please feel welcome to contact me . I’m always happy to have an obligation-free chat and explain how simply we can transition you from outdated protocols and approaches. I can even arrange a simple, zero-cost Proof of Concept. Previous Next

  • Strong Growth in Cyber Security Workforce Projected | GSA

    < News Strong Growth in Cyber Security Workforce Projected 6 June 2025 Australian Cyber Network’s recently released State of the Industry 2024 report contains some interesting reading about the composition and qualifications of Australia’s cyber security workforce. Continued Growth, Changing Composition According to ACN, the nation’s cyber security workforce has continued its rapid expansion, reflecting both increased demand for cyber security professionals and the evolving nature of cyber threats. In 2024, it reached 137,453 professionals, up 9% over the previous year. However, within the overall growth, there’s been a shift in how cyber security roles are structured, and the priorities being placed by organisations on different skill sets. For example, 41% of the total roles are dedicated cyber security positions which explicitly require security expertise, and the remaining 59% are related roles, where cyber security is a significant but not exclusive aspect of the jobholder’s responsibilities. Within the dedicated category, 36% require deep technical expertise. These include Cyber Security Engineers, Penetration Testers and Security Architects. This indicates that, while cyber security expertise is becoming more specialised, a growing number of professionals across all sectors are required to integrate security skills. Functionally, the cyber security workforce remains heavily concentrated in Database Administrators and ICT Security Specialist roles (54%), followed by Software and Applications Programming (24%) and ICT Management (22%). Among the roles requiring deep technical expertise, Cyber Security Engineers, Penetration Testers and Developer Programmers dominate, with 81% within the Software and Applications Programmers category. These figures suggest that cyber security remains deeply embedded within the software development and data security domains, reinforcing the importance of integrating security considerations into the early stages of software engineering and IT infrastructure development. Gender Diversity From a gender diversity perspective, Australia’s cyber security workforce remains heavily male-dominated, with only 25% women. However, that’s an 8% increase since 2021, so progress is being made. ACN attribute the improvement to sustained efforts by industry groups, government initiatives and corporate programs, as well as the work of organisations dedicated to fostering a stronger, more connected community for women in cyber security. Workforce Projections ACN projects the cyber security workforce to grow significantly through to 2029, albeit at a reduced rate. By 2029, they expect the total workforce to grow to 193,000 roles, with slightly higher growth in dedicated roles. They believe that, while demand will remain strong, the acceleration seen in previous years may stabilise. Overall, the data reveals that cyber security analysts and engineers are driving the bulk of workforce expansion, highlighting industry demand for both frontline detection and incident response capability as well as technical implementation expertise. Skills Still In High Demand State-by-state forecasts reveal that, while Australia’s cyber security workforce appears sizeable on paper, with many states showing a healthy current supply of workers including jobseekers, supply is not keeping pace with projected demand. Across most jurisdictions, the number of workers per vacant job is steadily declining, signalling increased pressure on talent pipelines. States like Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia, despite having the largest supply pools, will still show significant tightening in their job markets by 2029. South Australia and Queensland, with some of the highest worker-to-job ratios today, are projected to see those gaps narrow. ACN says this trend underscores the urgent need to build new entry pathways, accelerate training and retain talent, or risk a widening disconnect between workforce availability and industry needs across the country. Previous Next

  • Australian Govt’s “Horizon 2” Comes Into View | GSA

    < News Australian Govt’s “Horizon 2” Comes Into View 5 Aug 2025 The Australian Government has invited input on the key policy and program outcomes the nation needs to achieve under the 2023 – 2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy. Building on the momentum of the recently introduced Cyber Security Act 2024 , Minister for Cyber Security, Tony Burke MP, has released the Horizon 2 Policy Discussion Paper. It seeks feedback and input on key policies designed to enable Australia to: · Embed cyber messaging, cyber standards, capability and efforts. · Empower Australian businesses and citizens to protect themselves and become more resilient to cyber incidents. · Enhance cyber frameworks, workforce, and business ecosystem to drive further cyber security uplift. Consultation on the Discussion Paper is open to all levels of government, industry, educational institutions, community groups, and the Australian public. Submissions to can be made through the Department’s consultation webpage until 29 August 2025. Further industry co-design and Town Halls will also be held during the consultation process. Releasing the Discussion Paper, the Minister said: “We have made historic progress on cyber security but there is always more to do when confronting this evolving threat. Our government believes that all Australians have the right to be safe and feel safe, and cyber security is a critical part of that effort. “We’ve laid excellent foundations with Horizon 1 of the strategy and the passage of the Cyber Security Act – Horizon 2 will continue our progress towards our rightful place as a world leader on cyber security.” Submissions can be made through the Department’s consultation webpage until 29 August 2025. Previous Next

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