With Australia’s cyber security sector on the rise, analysis from the RMIT University’s Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI) and the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) found that more women are being employed in the industry. 

RMIT’s analysis of the 2021 Census of Population and Housing data showed the cyber security sector undergoing significant growth as it becomes one of the fastest-growing occupations in Australia. 

While women still made up only 16 per cent of the cyber security sector, RMIT Economist and CCSRI research team member, Dr Leonora Risse states that the sector’s employment dynamic has changed to the point where the women’s numbers were growing at a slightly faster pace than men’s. 

“Compared to 2016, we’re seeing just over a three-fold increase in men’s employment and a near four-fold increase in women’s employment,” she said.  

“The overall growth of this sector is phenomenal – an overall expansion of 230 per cent – which is easily one of the fastest growing occupations in Australia’s workforce.” 

Another big development in the sector is the creation of a new occupational classification in the ABS data collection that is dedicated to cyber security occupations. 

“The creation of a new occupational category in our labour market statistics reflects the ongoing structural change of our economy as we evolve into a more digitally-dependent and knowledge-based economy,” Dr Risse explained. 

“While some jobs have been replaced by technology and innovation, this is proof that new jobs are also coming into existence.” 

Dr Risse stated that the new jobs usually require more complex skills, adding more productive value to Australia’s economy while strengthening workers’ wage prospects. She also states that “gender equality in the sector is an important ingredient for equipping the sector for future challenges, as greater diversity amplifies the sector’s innovation potential, problem-solving capacity, and capacity to respond to real-world challenges.” 

According to Director of the RMIT Centre for Cyber Security Research & Innovation (CCSRI) Professor Matt Warren, prior estimates of women’s share in the security sector were vague and unreliable as the current study generates a more definitive measure of the sector’s size and the extent of gender diversity within the security workforce.

AWSN Executive Director Jacqui Loustau states that the study will allow the not-for-profit association to assess the impact of their initiatives for women in the security community.

“Having a baseline and a clearer picture of the actual number of women working in the security industry will allow us to measure the success of initiatives to attract, support and retain women in the industry,” she said. 

“The insights generated by the research project will be valuable for expanding the sector’s talent pool and equipping it for the growing challenges and demands it faces in the future. While existing research suggests general ways to expand the sector’s talent pool more generally, there is little focus on gender dimensions and the factors that explain women’s low representation in the sector. This project will empower us to better understand the factors that can either deter or enable women to join and pursue a flourishing career in the security sector.” 

Source: RMIT University news. Content has been edited for style and length.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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