The Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) is a not-for-profit association founded in 2015 with the mission of increasing the number of women in the security community and promoting diversity of thought across all security domains (cyber, physical, fraud, GRC, etc.).

They are dedicated to supporting, inspiring, and connecting women and girls, from students to established leaders, who often feel isolated in the sector. An RMIT study co-published in 2023 highlights the need for this work, finding that only 17% of the cyber workforce in Australia are women.

AWSN acts as a central hub, providing a range of opportunities including:

• Events and networking to foster collaboration.

• Subsidised programs and scholarships to make knowledge and training accessible.

• Mentoring and promotion of the security industry as a career path.

They achieve their mission through a diverse ecosystem of members, sponsors, and partners spanning government, academia, startups, and critical infrastructure, all united by the values of Education, Equality, Role Models, Safety, and Respect.