A first-of-its-kind Bachelor of CyberAI is the missing link in building the nation's critically in-demand AI cybersecurity workforce.
Monash University has joined forces with Australia's leading cybersecurity provider, CyberCX part of Accenture, to co-design and co-deliver a new degree that will equip graduates with the AI and cybersecurity skills needed to tackle emerging threats and help strengthen Australia's sovereign cybersecurity capability.
The new three-year Bachelor of CyberAI (Industry Co-Lab) degree was launched by Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering and CyberCX CEO and Founder John Paitaridis.
The degree comes at a crucial time for Australia, supporting the Australian Government's National AI Plan by building a pipeline of graduates with the specialist expertise needed to protect AI systems from threats and misuse and respond to cyber attacks at speed.
Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering said the new degree will prepare graduates with the specialised skills and industry experience to help Australia build a secure, resilient and AI-ready digital future.
"As a top 40 world ranked and Australia's most industry-connected university, Monash is uniquely positioned to lead the development of the highly specialised cyber security workforce Australia urgently needs to thrive in an AI-enabled economy and society," Professor Pickering said.
"This degree will see Australian students learning from leading researchers and industry professionals as they apply cutting edge knowledge directly into the cybersecurity industry."
Available to domestic students from Semester 1 2027, the three-year degree will prepare graduates to work at the intersection of cybersecurity and AI, helping address the talent shortage in one of the technology sector's fastest-growing fields.
A key feature of the degree is the industry immersion model where students will be connected with partner organisations for industry-immersed learning during the second and third year of the course.
During the program, as part of the industry-immersed learning experience students will engage in supervised, curriculum-aligned activities with CyberCX.
CyberCX will also create a pathway for Monash Cyber AI students into the CyberCX Academy, one of the most sought-after entry points into the Australian cyber security industry, with up to 15 positions available each year subject to suitability and workforce needs.
Students will also receive support from the CyberCX Academy through preparation seminars and dedicated feedback on their applications to give them the best possible success to start their cyber AI career.
CyberCX CEO John Paitaridis said they were delighted to partner with Monash University to support the next generation of cyber security and artificial intelligence professionals in Australia.
"Developing skilled talent has never been more important in cyber security with the rapid adoption of frontier AI models accelerating the cyber challenges facing our industry and economy.
"Almost half of all cyber security roles remain unfulfilled globally due to a gap in specific skills in cyber and AI required by enterprise and government organisations, according to research from Accenture.
"Filling these roles through the training of an AI-ready cyber workforce is our best defence as we face a deteriorating cyber threat landscape.
"We have a responsibility to help close the cyber security skills gap. The launch of a landmark Bachelor of CyberAI degree will develop and equip the future talent we need with the right skills and industry experience to secure our communities."
The degree will spend the first year developing foundational capabilities in secure systems, cybersecurity operations, and AI-enabled technologies before learning to design, implement, and manage intelligent and secure solutions in partner organisations with real-world environments.
The course will also provide an online Secure AI Lab learning environment jointly developed by Monash and CyberCX, and emphasise responsible and secure AI practice, including ethics, privacy, governance and risk management.
Monash's Faculty of Information Technology Interim Dean, Professor Ian Burnett, said AI is transforming every industry but the impact is being felt ten fold in technological fields.
"The CyberAI course offering provides a unique opportunity for students to apply their learnings in real contexts through their industry immersion, and be in complete lock step with the rapidly-evolving sector by the time they graduate," Professor Burnett said.
The CyberAI degree for domestic students complements a suite of new courses, offered by Monash's Faculty of Information Technology, available for international and local students alike that is reimagining IT education for the age of AI.
This includes a new Bachelor of AI and Bachelor Agentic Software Engineering degree, and the 'AI for Everyone' elective unit available to all students across Monash.
Monash's Faculty of Information Technology Interim Dean Professor Ian Burnett and CyberCX CEO and Founder John Paitaridis are
