A new collaboration will equip non-profits with the tools and resources to mitigate cyber risks.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has been selected by Kyndryl as one of 11 grantees of the inaugural Kyndryl Foundation Grants, an ambitious initiative to address the shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals by providing skills and placement programs for underrepresented learners and job seekers.
In collaboration with UTS, the project seeks to empower non-profits to strengthen their cybersecurity practices, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and secure digital environment. The course will be designed in consultation with non-profit organisations, ensuring the unique requirements of the non-profit sector will be driving content and outcomes for non-profit staff.
The charity sector employs more than 10% of the Australian population and serves our most vulnerable populations in Australia. At UTS, we mobilise our knowledge, teaching and practice for public good. Social Justice is a part of our DNA. In addition to undertaking research on behalf of society, we strive for meaningful, equitable and impactful knowledge work, in collaboration with the communities that make up society.
By providing non-profit team members with fundamental cybersecurity knowledge, skills, and incident response strategies, the project aims to promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness and compliance within non-profit organisations, thereby safeguarding their operations and the communities they serve. UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise) Professor Glenn Wightwick said, “It’s truly inspiring to witness Kyndryl Foundation’s commitment to fostering an inclusive cybersecurity workforce and enhancing the resilience of non-profits against cyber threats.
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 the 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.
By supporting non-profit 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 non-profits with the necessary tools and resources to mitigate cyber risks and safeguard their operations, thereby strengthening the overall resilience of our communities,”.
UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT Dean Professor Peta Wyeth said, “Like any organisation, charities and not-for-profit organisations can be vulnerable to cyber security incidents. This funding allows UTS to help these organisations implement robust and continuous cyber security 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 cyber security expertise and training, we are endeavouring to remove some of the resourcing burden these organisations face in keeping their sensitive information safe,” she said.
UTS Expertise in Cybersecurity
With established expertise and facilities dedicated to the field of cybersecurity, UTS is perfectly positioned to deliver on the objectives of the Kyndryl Foundation. UTS offers Bachelor's and Master's programs preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, while funding from the Government’s Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund, awarded to the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT, supports further expansion of the workforce in this field.
The UTS Vault houses a state-of-the-art Cyber Security Operations Centre, providing researchers and students with hands-on, real-time training and operational capabilities. UTS also actively collaborates with industry partners, particularly non-profit organisations, to advance research and education and position itself as a global leader in cybersecurity.
The Kyndryl Foundation
The Kyndryl Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation established by Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider. The Foundation aims to deliver trust-based philanthropic grants for community development programs.
The Kyndryl Foundation’s grants are dedicated to fostering an inclusive cybersecurity workforce and bolstering the resilience of non-profits against cyberattacks and are the first of their kind. To address the shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals, the grants support organisations that provide skills development and placement programs for underrepresented learners and job seekers.
Additionally, the grants focus on enhancing non-profits’ cyber resiliency through education and consulting services.
