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The local cyber security training company is helping upskill the latest cohort of participants in the ADF-led program.
The Australian Defence Force Cyber Gap Program (ADFCGP) has partnered with Cybermerc, which has been tasked with delivering online cyber skills modules and challenges to this year’s cohort of trainees.
This forms part of a broader effort to enhance cyber knowledge in the information warfare domain among students in tertiary institutions, preparing the nation’s workforce for the rapidly evolving threat environment.
The founder and CEO of Cybermerc, Matthew Nevin, welcomed the opportunity to support the delivery of sovereign capability to support the future cyber security workforce.
“The establishment and delivery of the ADF Cyber Gap Program is a significant step forward by the Australian government to address the current cyber skills shortage in Australia,” Nevin said.
“The online cyber security learning modules and cyber skills challenges have been designed with the participants in mind – providing a real-world, immersive approach to training where students balance theoretical modules with hands-on experience.
“They are provided with opportunities to safely interact and work with real malicious software in scenarios emulating real-world attacks.”
Navy officer Captain Paul Scott, director of Joint Cyber, noted the importance of such programs in building cyber resilience.
“We’ve got a really comprehensive training approach for the ADFCGP, and it’s been great working with Cybermerc to deliver this for our participants,” CAPT Scott said.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how the participants tackle the challenges ahead and encourage them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills as they interact with the program modules.”
More than 1,200 applications were submitted for the second round of the ADFCGP program, of which 285 have commenced participation.
ADFCGP was launched in 2019, with the final intake expected at the end of 2023.
The 12-month online program is delivered by the Joint Cyber Directorate and is open to Australian citizens undertaking tertiary cyber-related qualifications from Certificate III through to master’s degree level.
Participants are not required to join the ADF upon completion of the program.