It’s no news that artificial intelligence (AI) can be biased, and since AI-powered tools are now used for almost everything, including recruiting, there is unconscious bias in hiring processes.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has launched a new cyber-staffing program to tackle the problem.

The Cyber ​​National Assessment Program for Skills and Employment (CYNAPSE) aims to increase the cyber workforce and diversity by at least 100 people by 2024. It hopes to encourage women, neurodiverse people, First Nations Australians, transition veterans and people in remote areas to consider a career in space.

tech company FifthDomain, which provides cyber workforce management and insights is leading the program.

FifthDomain received a $3 million grant for the project as part of the second round of the Department of Industry and Science’s Cyber ​​Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund.

CYNAPSE implements standardized tests in cyber roles, trains candidates to work in Security Operations Centers and provides employers and recruiters with insights to improve employment rates.

The platform will make it easier for people to find a job by using objective, standardized tests instead of just talking in an interview. It also removes unconscious bias by not using biographical information such as name, gender, or location.

The program includes 45 online assessment modules within an interactive platform.

The modules have realistic cyber threat scenarios as seen in security operations centers.

FifthDomain CEO Matt Wilcox and ACT Secretary Andrew Barr. Photo: Delivered

CYNAPSE allows up to 10,000 concurrent users and is free for potential candidates. In remote communities, CYNAPSE can be made available through local education facilities.

FifthDomain will develop the program with its 13 project partners over the next year, ready for testing in a year’s time.

Barr said cybersecurity is one of ACT’s and Australia’s fastest growing sectors, and making sure it has the workforce it needs will be a key challenge going forward.

“It is both encouraging and no surprise that innovative and inclusive solutions such as CYNAPSE have been developed here in Canberra. Initiatives like these will be essential to build the capable, skilled and diverse workforce the industry needs to continue its strong growth,” he said.

Matt Wilcox, CEO of FifthDomain, has seen firsthand how difficult it is to hire cyber workers. They aim to help employers, students and those interested in a cyber career understand what the job is like by providing realistic scenarios.

“There is a whole pool of people with untapped potential that we could hire in cyber, and they are currently experiencing barriers. CYNAPSE mitigates that problem by providing the employer with their datasets of aptitude first,” he said.

“Unconscious bias is unfortunately a factor to consider in cyber. Women only make up about 17% of the industry, and we want to dramatically increase that.”

FifthDomain is looking for cyber industry professionals, recruiters, IT and cyber education providers, and minority advocacy groups to participate in CYNAPSE.

Details available here.