Australia Funds Women in Cyber Initiative to Boost Pacific Security

WASHINGTON, DC – April 02, 2026 – In a significant move to bolster cybersecurity and promote gender equality across the Pacific, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has awarded a grant to Cambridge Global Advisors (CGA) to launch the “Pacific Women in Cyber” (PWiC) initiative. The 18-month program aims to build a new generation of female digital defenders in Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa, marking a strategic investment in both human capital and regional stability.

Funded through DFAT's Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program (SEA-PAC Cyber), the initiative will provide focused internships, mentorships, and training programs designed to equip women and girls with critical digital skills and cybersecurity awareness. The program seeks not only to enhance participants' career prospects but also to diversify the cybersecurity workforces within these key Pacific nations, which face an increasingly complex digital threat landscape.

A Strategic Pillar of Regional Engagement

The PWiC initiative is not a standalone project but a core component of Australia's broader, long-term vision for the Indo-Pacific. It falls under the umbrella of the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, which commits to strengthening the capacity of its neighbors as part of its “Resilient Region and Global Leadership” shield. The Australian government has dedicated significant resources to this vision, with the SEA-PAC Cyber program committing $43.2 million to cyber capacity building in the region through 2028.

This investment is part of a larger $129.7 million allocation for regional cooperation and cyber uplift programs outlined in the national strategy. It demonstrates a sophisticated approach to foreign policy where cyber diplomacy and development aid are intertwined. By funding programs like PWiC, Australia aims to be a partner of choice for Pacific nations, fostering an open, free, and secure cyber ecosystem built on shared values and mutual trust.

Australia's Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Ms. Jessica Hunter, emphasized the strategic importance of the program. "PWiC is a vital step toward building a more inclusive and resilient cybersecurity workforce in the Pacific," she noted. "By equipping women and girls with essential digital skills and creating pathways into the cyber industry, this program strengthens both individual opportunity and regional cyber capacity."

A Dual Mandate: Empowering Women, Securing Nations

At the heart of the PWiC initiative is a powerful dual mandate: addressing the persistent gender gap in technology while simultaneously closing a critical skills gap in national security. Globally, women are significantly underrepresented in STEM and cybersecurity fields. This program directly confronts that disparity by creating tailored pathways for women and girls to enter and thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

This focus aligns perfectly with DFAT's deep-seated commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), a principle integrated into all its investments. Rather than viewing gender equality as a separate goal, the PWiC initiative frames it as essential to achieving robust cybersecurity. By tapping into a wider talent pool, Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa can significantly enhance their capacity to defend against cyber threats, from criminal ransomware attacks to state-sponsored disinformation campaigns.

"The PWiC initiative lays the groundwork for lasting partnerships that will strengthen cybersecurity capacity across the Pacific well into the future," said former Ambassador Douglas Lute, Chairman of Cambridge Global Advisors. "We're thrilled to collaborate with DFAT to deliver inclusive cybersecurity programming in countries that are often underrepresented in the digital space."

Tailored Solutions for Unique Challenges

Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective, the program's implementation partner, Cambridge Global Advisors, will heavily emphasize local consultation. The firm will work closely with government, academic, and private sector stakeholders in each of the three target countries to ensure the training and internship curricula are tailored to their specific economic and security needs. This collaborative model is designed to foster local ownership and ensure the program's long-term sustainability.

This initiative builds on CGA's extensive experience conducting cybersecurity training on behalf of the U.S. State Department in other Pacific and Southeast Asian nations, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga itself. This history provides a foundation of regional understanding and practical expertise.

Australia's commitment extends beyond just training. The broader SEA-PAC Cyber program includes initiatives like the $26.2 million Pacific 'Cyber Rapid Assistance for Pacific Incidents and Disasters (RAPID)' teams, designed to help Pacific governments respond to major cyber crises. The PWiC initiative complements this reactive capability by proactively building an organic, local defense force. By developing a skilled domestic workforce, the program aims to reduce reliance on external support and create a self-sustaining ecosystem of cyber resilience.

The ultimate goal is to transform perceived vulnerabilities into sources of national strength. By investing in the untapped potential of their female populations, these Pacific nations are not just building a firewall against digital threats, but are also laying the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous digital future.