Purple Team Australia Launches to Train 320 Women and First Nations in Cybersecurity
Purple Team Australia, a national workforce development program, has kicked off with a mission to train and place 320 women and First Nations Australians in the cybersecurity industry. Backed by industry experts and the Australian Government, this five-month initiative fosters diversity and inclusion, aiming to create a future-proof cyber workforce.
Over 230 applications were received, with 98% women and 7% First Nations Australians selected for the 2023 cohort. The program offers micro-credentials, mentorship, 'Expert-in-Residence' and 'Employer-In-Residence' sessions, and vendor training. It culminates in a National Capture the Flag Challenge and Graduation ceremony.
Linda Cavanagh, Chief Operating Officer at Cybermerc, and Matthew Nevin, Co-Founder and CEO of Cybermerc, have shown support for the initiative. They believe that diversity in cybersecurity is crucial for enhancing problem-solving capacity and navigating industry challenges. The program aims to empower diverse talents to contribute to national digital security.
Purple Team Australia is a collaborative partnership between industry experts and academia, supported by Australian Government funding. With a focus on training and placing underrepresented groups in the cybersecurity industry, the program seeks to address the skills gap and promote diversity, ultimately creating a more robust and inclusive cyber workforce.
