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Despite reports that cyber threats are only on the rise, the NSW government is culling a number of cyber security positions.
As part of what the government is calling a “realignment”, which has come as part of a budget drop, at least 14 Cyber Security NSW jobs are set to be axed; however, the exact number of jobs is yet to be confirmed.
“Cyber Security NSW is formalising its organisational structure, which is proposed to impact eight employees, subject to consultation with employees and the PSA union,” said the Department of Customer Service, as seen by The Mandarin.
“The Department of Customer Service is working through its implementation approach to the NSW government sector workplace presence circular.
“This includes consultation with employees through the Public Service Association (PSA) union. In the meantime, flexible working arrangements remain in place.
“The Department of Customer Service will release its 2023–24 annual report later this year, which will include staffing numbers as at 30 June 2024.”
In an 11 September statement, the NSW Public Service Association (PSA) acknowledged the issue, adding that six unfilled roles and one temporary position would also be axed.
“The PSA has been advised of a restructure in Digital ICT – Cyber Security NSW, which will impact eight ongoing staff along with delimiting six vacant positions and one temp role,” said the PSA.
“We are advised that this is a result of a reduction in budget funding.”
News of the job cuts come as reports show that ransomware and other cyber threats are on the rise.
For instance, Thales revealed in its 2024 Critical Infrastructure report in August that ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure entities have increased year on year, with 24 per cent reporting an attack in the 12 months from the report being written, compared to 21 per cent for the previous reporting period.
Additionally, 42 per cent of critical infrastructure organisations have reported a data breach of some kind overall, though data breaches do seem to be decreasing. Fifteen per cent of organisations reported a breach this year, compared to 22 per cent last year.
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