Monash University has partnered with cybersecurity firm CyberCX to launch what it says is Australia’s first Bachelor of CyberAI, as universities and industry respond to growing demand for specialists able to protect artificial intelligence systems from cyber threats.
The three-year Bachelor of CyberAI (Industry Co-Lab), unveiled on Wednesday by Monash University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sharon Pickering and CyberCX chief executive John Paitaridis, will be offered to domestic students from Semester 1, 2027.
The course has been developed jointly by the university and CyberCX, part of Accenture, combining academic study with industry placements designed to prepare graduates for roles at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The launch comes as Australia expands its investment in AI capability while governments and businesses grapple with increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks and a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals.
Professor Pickering said Monash was well placed to help build the specialist workforce required as AI becomes embedded across the economy.
“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,” she said.
She said students would learn from researchers and industry practitioners while applying their knowledge in workplace settings, adding: “This degree will see Australian students learning from leading researchers and industry professionals as they apply cutting edge knowledge directly into the cybersecurity industry.”
Students will spend their first year developing foundations in secure systems, cybersecurity operations and AI technologies before moving into industry-based learning during the second and third years.
As part of that model, students will undertake supervised, curriculum-aligned activities with CyberCX and gain access to an online Secure AI Lab developed jointly by the university and the company. The course will also include training in ethics, privacy, governance and risk management relating to AI.
CyberCX will offer a pathway into its graduate CyberCX Academy, with up to 15 places available each year, subject to workforce requirements and applicants meeting selection criteria. Students will also receive application support and preparation seminars.
Mr Paitaridis said demand for people with expertise spanning both AI and cybersecurity was rising rapidly.
“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,” he said.
He pointed to Accenture research showing that almost half of cybersecurity roles globally remain unfilled because of shortages in cyber and AI expertise.
“Filling these roles through the training of an AI-ready cyber workforce is our best defence as we face a deteriorating cyber threat landscape,” he said.
“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.”
Monash Faculty of Information Technology Interim Dean Professor Ian Burnett said the pace of technological change meant graduates needed both technical knowledge and practical experience before entering the workforce.
“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,” he said.
The Bachelor of CyberAI forms part of a wider expansion of Monash’s AI education offerings, which also includes new Bachelor of AI and Bachelor of Agentic Software Engineering degrees, along with an “AI for Everyone” elective available across the university.
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