Warning sounded over lack of Australian cyber specialists
Australia is expected to face a shortfall of up to 100,000 cyber specialists by 2020. This is the sobering warning from Australian Computer Society president, Anthony Wong, who has said that urgent action is required to increase the ICT workforce. The situation is expected to have an adverse impact on the government’s A$230m cyber security strategy, with experts warning that the government is likely to struggle to recruit almost 900 cyber specialists. In an attempt to develop the workforce, Wong argued that industry leaders must improve gender equality and retrain and support older Australians in finding employment in the sector.

The professional association for Australia's ICT industry has warned there are not enough specialists to deliver the federal government's $230 million cyber security strategy.

Australian Computer Society president Anthony Wong said the government faced a shortfall of up to 100,000 ICT professionals by 2020 and urgent action was needed to expand the workforce.

Australia is predicted to face a shortage of cyber security professionals in coming years.

"With our lives increasingly going online, security and privacy are two of the top issues confronting businesses," he said.

"We are going to need more professionals who are familiar with these threats to protect us online."