Designed to bolster cybersecurity workforce diversity and fortify nonprofits against cyber threats, the grants aim to address the growing vulnerability of the nonprofit sector to cyberattacks.
With a focus on enhancing cybersecurity education accessibility for Australian nonprofits, UTS will utilise the grant to combat the sector’s limited resources and training opportunities.
Despite the evident risks, a staggering 80% of Australian nonprofits have not provided any cybersecurity training to staff within the last year, as revealed by the 2023 Australian Nonprofits State of the Sector report.
The initiative also seeks to bridge this critical gap and empower nonprofits in safeguarding their sensitive data against potential cyber threats.
According to UTS it eeks to address this gap by piloting the design, development and delivery of cybersecurity education for up to 90 learners in 2024 from nonprofit organisations in Indigenous, refugee and low socio-economic communities.
The pilot program is set to engage in extensive consultations with nonprofit organisations, leveraging the expertise of cybersecurity professionals from both Kyndryl and UTS. and will curate tailored content and deliver comprehensive training sessions aimed at enhancing cybersecurity awareness within the nonprofit sector.
Glenn Wightwick, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Enterprise), University of Technology Sydney said, “As a leading public university of technology, UTS is dedicated to driving innovation and societal impact through strategic partnerships and initiatives,”
“The philanthropic grants awarded by Kyndryl Foundation align closely with UTS’s mission to empower individuals and organisations with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of the digital age,” Wightwick said.
“By supporting nonprofit capability development in cybersecurity skills, these grants address the critical shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals and contribute to building a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce,”
“Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to equip nonprofits with the necessary tools and resources to mitigate cyber risks and safeguard their operations, thereby strengthening the overall resilience of our communities,” he said.
Peta Wyeth, Dean – Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney. says any organisation, charity or nonprofits can be vulnerable to cyber security incidents. He said the funding allows UTS to help these organisations implement robust and continuous cybersecurity measures.
“We are excited to be working with Indigenous, refugee, and low socio-economic communities to build cyber security resilience within those communities,”
“Through providing cybersecurity expertise and training we are endeavouring to remove some of the resourcing burdens these organisations face in keeping their sensitive information safe,”
By investing in the development of skilled professionals and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, UTS endeavors to safeguard critical infrastructure, protect digital assets, and mitigate the ever-evolving cyber threats confronting society.
“Kyndryl is pleased to partner with UTS. In addition to the grant, we will provide expertise from our local cybersecurity and resiliency practice to create a tailored program designed around the nuances of the nonprofit sector,”
” This will not only enable organisations to build cyber resiliency against current and future threats, but also help increase the number of much needed skilled cybersecurity resources in Australia,” said Ashish Kumar, President, Kyndryl Australia and New Zealand.
Founded in September 2023 by Kyndryl, a spin-out of IBM’s legacy infrastructure and services, the foundation initially prioritises cyber security endeavors.
Its primary goals include fostering an inclusive cyber security workforce and enhancing the defense capabilities of nonprofit organisations.
