ACS & ISACA extend partnership to boost IT skills in Australia
ACS (the Australian Computer Society) and ISACA, the global association for IT audit, governance, risk, and cybersecurity professionals, have extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a concerted effort to address the global IT skills shortage and enhance member benefits.
Under the renewed MoU, both organisations will intensify their collaboration in various areas, such as training and credentialing, advocacy to governments and agencies, expanded conferences and events, and joint research initiatives.
The partnership is expected to significantly contribute to the development of a more skilled and adaptable IT workforce in Australia by leveraging ISACA's extensive global network of more than 180,000 members and ACS's local base of over 47,000 technology professionals.
Jo Stewart-Rattray, Vice President of Community Boards at ACS and Oceania Ambassador for ISACA, emphasised the deep and longstanding relationship between ACS and ISACA.
"I am proud to see two of the most respected organisations in the technology sector deepen and extend their partnership," she said. "Both ACS and ISACA have consistently driven innovation and excellence and will continue to do so together, elevating efforts to tackle emerging challenges in the IT field."
Stewart-Rattray added that the MoU offers members of both organisations more opportunities to gain a broader skillset through an array of new resources, along with enhanced training and credentialing programmes.
Erik Prusch, CEO of ISACA, underlined the strategic importance of the expanded partnership with ACS.
"As Australia intensifies its focus on digital trust and cybersecurity, our combined resources and expertise will give IT professionals a distinct advantage in the sector," he stated. Prusch further noted, "At ISACA, our commitment extends beyond simple membership: we strive to be a lifelong career partner to our members."
"Our collaboration with ACS not only strengthens our capability to support this endeavour, but also amplifies our collective efforts to promote a safer and more trustworthy digital environment. Together, we are indeed stronger."
A recent ACS Digital Pulse report projects that Australia will need 1.3 million technology professionals by 2030. Additionally, 82% of respondents in ISACA's 2024 State of Digital Trust research indicated that digital trust will increase in importance over the next five years.
Josh Griggs, CEO of ACS, highlighted the critical timing of this partnership extension. "Strategic partnerships, like our collaboration with ISACA, are essential to strengthen and diversify our workforce," Griggs remarked. "As companies strive to establish digital trust and fully realise its benefits, IT professionals with diverse credentials will be highly valued."
The key focus areas of the extended MoU include conferences and events, training and credentialing, advocacy and government relations, and research collaboration.
Specifically, the partnership aims to facilitate expanded opportunities for professional engagement and knowledge sharing through various platforms, offer increased chances for IT professionals to widen their skills in response to the talent gap, forge a stronger collective voice in the tech sector, and maximise the impact of crucial industry research.
The enhanced partnership between ACS and ISACA reflects a strategic alignment to address the pressing need for a more skilled IT workforce and to support the growing emphasis on digital trust in the global digital landscape.
