Advocacy
The Australian Institute of Cyber Security advocates for the interests of the cyber security profession in its engagements with government, industry, and the broader public. Advocacy is a core function of any professional body, and AICS takes this responsibility seriously.
Policy Engagement
AICS engages directly with government on matters of national cyber security policy, workforce development, regulatory design, and professional standards. We respond to legislative consultations, provide expert input on proposed regulatory frameworks, and contribute to the development of national strategies that affect the cyber security profession and the organisations it protects. Our policy positions are developed independently and reflect the collective expertise of our membership, not the commercial interests of any external party.
Workforce and Standards
Australia faces a well-documented shortage of qualified cyber security professionals. AICS advocates for policies that address this shortage through structured training pathways, professional recognition frameworks, and immigration settings that attract and retain skilled practitioners. We also advocate for the recognition of professional accreditation in government and regulated industry procurement, ensuring that organisations engaging cyber security professionals can distinguish between verified credentials and self-reported qualifications.
Public Awareness
AICS contributes to public understanding of cyber security through media engagement, educational resources, and community programmes. We believe that a well-informed public is a more resilient public, and that the cyber security profession has a responsibility to communicate effectively with the people and organisations it serves. Our resources, including the Cyberkids programme and the What is Cyber Security guide, are designed to make the profession’s knowledge accessible to non-specialist audiences.
Member Participation
AICS members are encouraged to participate in the Institute’s advocacy work. Members can contribute to policy submissions, join advisory committees, participate in government consultations, and bring forward issues affecting the profession. Participation in AICS advocacy activities may also qualify for Cyber Security Professional Development (CSPD) hours.
Current Priorities
AICS’s current advocacy priorities include the recognition of professional cyber security credentials in government procurement and regulatory frameworks, workforce development strategies to address the national skills shortage, the strengthening of Australia’s Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, and the development of professional standards for emerging areas of practice including artificial intelligence security, operational technology security, and supply chain risk management.
For enquiries about AICS advocacy or to contribute to our policy work, contact [email protected].