Bethany Alvaro 
The Cyber Registered Apprenticeship Program (Cyber RAP) was announced on April 28 by the DoW’s Chief Information Officer, Kirsten Davies, who is seeking to establish the program as a practical method of preparing the future workforce for emerging cybersecurity defence threats.
The twelve-month initiative will have a key focus on training in a “robust, non-traditional” approach, aiming to merge online, laboratory, and on-the-job training methods.
Participants will train and develop expertise in general cyber security operations, networked defence systems, ethical hacking, and “AI-driven cyber threat analysis”.
“This program is a critical investment in our people and the bedrock of our national security,” said Marci McCarthy, DoW CIO Director of External Engagements.
“The Cyber RAP provides a direct pathway for dedicated individuals to join our mission, securing the vital networks, infrastructure, and weapon systems that our Warfighters depend on every single day.”
The DoW notes that the program will prepare students for specific, structured roles, such as cyber defence analysts, infrastructure support specialists, and cyber defence incident responders.
The CIO says that the program will align with Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth’s, overhaul of the current defence structure, noting that the Cyber RAP is a representation of how the DoW is “aggressively shifting away from a ‘degree first’ mindset in favour of skills-based, day-one readiness”.
“With Cyber RAP we are reducing barriers to entry and training a new generation of elite talent to defend our critical networks and weapon systems,” the CIO said on X.
“We are building the workforce for this Golden Age of innovation and powering the Arsenal of Freedom!”
The Australian Defence Force has a range of cyber-focused programs, such as the Accelerated Defensive Cyber Training program, ADF Cyber Gap Program, and the wider 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.
These initiatives similarly seek to accelerate the ways in which Defence can respond to emerging digital threats.
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