Qld invests in cybersecurity training

The Queensland Government has committed $2 million for a Cyber Security Training Operation Centre in Cairns to support more jobs in the rapidly growing sector.

Training and Skills Development Minister Di Farmer said facilities like this will ensure Queensland has the workforce capability to meet the state’s cybersecurity needs.

Farmer said the ‘Good People. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032’ was about training Queenslanders for the good jobs of the future.

“You can’t get more future-focused than developing the skills to tackle cybersecurity issues,” she said.

“The fitout will include attack and defence rooms, monitoring rooms for hacking/triaging web data and data centres to incorporate IT infrastructure, delivering additional training opportunities for future cybersecurity professionals in the Far North Queensland region.”

Farmer said the upgrades were part of the Palaszczuk government’s $100 million ‘Equipping TAFE for our Future’ program, which is investing in digital skills training facilities to develop more workers for this sector.

“In 2020–2021, the Cyber Security Hotline received on average 60 calls per day — an increase of 310% on the previous year. By investing in training infrastructure and working with industry and educators, we can create the future workforce Queensland needs,” she said

“These cutting-edge facilities mean students can be prepared for the evolving demands of setting up and monitoring vital systems and information networks, and gain experience in defending against different kinds of cyber attacks."

Equipping TAFE for our Future is also delivering Cyber Security Training Operations Centres at TAFE Queensland’s Mooloolaba and South Bank campuses.

Cairns MP Michael Healy said Cyber Security Awareness Month was a great time to highlight the training and employment opportunities in the sector.

“There are currently 335 students statewide enrolled in the Certificate IV in Cyber Security with registered training organisations (RTOs) and this will continue to grow when our Cairns facility opens in mid-2023,” Healy said.

“The cybersecurity industry is far broader than many realise — there’s also digital technology skills and roles as businesses embrace digital transformation.

“Across Queensland’s RTOs, enrolments in digital technology qualifications are also increasing, with more than 1200 students enrolled in courses such as Certificate III in Information Technology, which will support future jobs growth,” he said.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said cybersecurity should be a focus area for small businesses, with more than 67,500 cybercrimes reported in Australia in the 2020–2021 financial year.

“Cybercrimes continue to increase each year, with self-reported losses from cybercrime totalling more than $33 billion in 2020–2021,” Crawford said.

“While small businesses continue to be a target, recent events show us that all businesses can be impacted and highlight the importance of protecting our businesses against cyber threats.”

Speaker of Parliament and Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt said micro-credentials can help businesses to quickly upskill and train their staff.

“The Cyber Security Essentials and the Data Security Essentials micro-credentials offered here at TAFE are two of the most popular short courses,” Pitt said.

“They have been designed to enable people to gain a better understanding of cybersecurity, the risks involved with supplying and storing personal information, how personal information can be used, and how to ensure personal information is kept secure.

“As part of the Good People. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032, we continue to look at ways to boost Queensland’s skilled workforce and flexible learning options, and workplace practices like micro-credentials are providing us with an effective way to upskill.

“In the first half of next year, work will also commence on an Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab which will train students in the latest techniques using simulated and mixed reality training to meet industry requirements.

“The lab will simulate what students will find in a real workshop while providing a safe, secure learning environment,” he said.

Image credit: iStock.com/gorodenkoff