The Canberra Cyber Career Symposium 2025 was a dynamic hub of insights, hands-on learning and industry connection, bringing together over 200 attendees, 30+ exhibitors, and some of the brightest minds in cyber security.
From high school students taking their first steps into STEM to professionals exploring a career transition, the event highlighted the breadth of opportunity within Australia’s fast-growing cyber sector.
Hands-On Learning and Expert Panels
Attendees embraced the opportunity to engage directly with industry through interactive sessions, with nearly 75% participating in hands-on workshops. These included live ethical hacking demos, penetration testing simulations and Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) activities, offering real-world exposure to the many sides of cyber work.
Expert panel sessions were also well attended, with over 60% of respondents joining the discussions led by government and private sector leaders. These conversations explored the evolving threat landscape and the skills most in demand, while also featuring personal stories from professionals who successfully transitioned into cyber from careers in hospitality, business, and mechanical trades.
Exploring the Cyber Ecosystem
The expo floor was a standout feature of the day; visited by nearly 90% of attendees and offering them the chance to connect with 30+ cyber businesses and education providers. This direct engagement made a lasting impression, with 95% of survey respondents agreeing they were able to connect meaningfully with a variety of Canberra-based cyber organisations. The interest in what comes next was just as strong: nearly half of attendees reported plans to enrol in cyber training, certification, or gain hands-on experience within the next 12 months.
The panel sessions sparked meaningful conversations around cyber skills development, career readiness and industry collaboration. Feedback highlighted the value of real-world insights and diverse career pathways shared by panellists, with over 91% of respondents reporting a better understanding of cyber careers. A special thank you to our session sponsors: Irradiate Security, Viden and Vital Learning Edge, for helping shape these discussions and contribute to building Australia’s future cyber workforce.
A Strong Signal for the Future
Feedback from the event clearly indicates its value and impact. Three-quarters of attendees said they learned something new about cyber, and over 80% reported a better understanding of cyber career pathways.
The symposium reinforced that cyber careers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Whether through technical pathways, governance roles, or security operations, there are multiple entry points into this high-growth sector.
A huge thank you to our partners, speakers and exhibitors who made the event such a success, including CyberCX, Microsoft, TCA, Lumify, Irradiate Security, Securus Consulting Group, and Cyconsol. If you missed it, keep an eye on future events hosted by the Canberra Cyber Hub, your next career step might be closer than you think.
