Australian Women in Security Network

What Australian Women in Security Network does

Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) is a registered Australian charity (ABN 28 234 044 277) founded in 2015 and headquartered in Melbourne, operating as a volunteer-driven non-profit network dedicated to connecting, supporting, and advancing women in security careers across Australia. The organization runs a portfolio of programs including the Group Mentoring Program (3-5 mentees per cohort over 3 months), annual flagship AWSN Symposium, Secure Coding Workshops in partnership with Secure Code Warrior, Capture the Flag workshops with CyberCX and Hack The Box, the Boss of the SOC incident response competition, Kids Digital Adventure (Years 4-6) and Cyber Security Experience Days (high school girls), and a Mentoring mobile application for matching and program management. Its technology stack consists of a community platform with website-based event management and membership system, a private Slack workspace for member networking, and the proprietary Mentoring App.

AWSN generates revenue through individual memberships ($66 regular, $22 student per 12-month period), group memberships ($1,375 for up to 25 staff), corporate partnership tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) with Platinum partners including Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Australian Signals Directorate, and CyberCX, plus event registration fees ranging from $25 for workshops to $385 for the flagship Symposium. The organization serves a hybrid customer base: individual women in security careers and students as primary consumers, and enterprises (banks, telcos, government, retail, energy) as corporate partners and group members. AWSN operates 8+ chapter locations across Australian cities including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sunshine Coast, and Sydney, and has expanded into international collaboration through the Global 50x50 Initiative and ASEAN fellowship programs.

Name

Australian Women in Security Network

Legal name

Australian Women in Security Network Ltd

Website

https://awsn.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Australian Women in Security Network is a registered Australian charity founded in 2015 that runs mentoring programs, technical workshops, chapter events, and the annual AWSN Symposium to connect, support, and advance women in cybersecurity careers across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Security Community Services

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cloud & SaaS Security Awareness (e.g., M365/Google Workspace) (EDABAGAG)

Keywords

• Professional networking community
• Security mentoring programs
• Cybersecurity education outreach
• Workforce diversity initiatives
• Security career events

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Fees: Regular membership at $66.00 per 12-month period and student membership at $22.00 per 12-month period. Provides access to programs, events, job listings, newsletter, and networking platforms.
2. Group Membership: Organization group membership at $1,375.00 for up to 25 staff representatives with discounted individual rates.
3. Event Registration Fees: Fees for events including workshops, competitions, and symposiums. Symposium pricing ranges from $150-$385. Additional workshop fees from $25-$120.
4. Corporate Partnership: Organizations become corporate partners at various tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) to support the organization and gain visibility as supporters of women in security.
5. Corporate Partner Staff Membership: Employees of corporate partner organizations receive free membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AWSN is a membership-based nonprofit community organization delivering mentoring, education, events, and career development programs for women in security careers across Australia. Its core offerings include the Group Mentoring Program, Secure Coding Workshops built on the Secure Code Warrior platform, the annual AWSN Symposium, regional chapter events across eight cities, and youth cybersecurity education programs. Revenue is generated through membership subscriptions, corporate partnerships, and event registration fees.

Product overview

AWSN operates as a community platform offering a portfolio of programs and events supporting women in security careers across Australia. The core offerings include the Group Mentoring Program connecting 3-5 mentees with mentors, Secure Coding Workshops using Secure Code Warrior platform, youth education programs (Kids Digital Adventure for Years 4-6 and Cyber Security Experience Days for Years 7-8), the annual AWSN Symposium flagship event, incident response competitions (Boss of the SOC), speed mentoring events, Capture the Flag workshops, and regional chapter events across Perth, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, and Regional areas. Supporting resources include the Jobs Board, Video Library of past webinars, and RMIT-partnered research reports on gender dimensions in cybersecurity. Membership provides access to programs, events, Slack workspace networking, and member pricing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AWSN Group Mentoring Program Short-term group-based mentoring program connecting small groups of 3-5 mentees with experienced mentors aligned to career goals, running over a 3-month period with at least 2 hours per month commitment.
• AWSN Secure Coding Workshops Hands-on application security workshops delivered through the gamified Secure Code Warrior platform, covering vulnerability identification, code review techniques, and exploit simulations from the OWASP Top 10.
• AWSN Symposium 2026 Annual flagship symposium convening Australia's cyber and security ecosystem, featuring keynotes, innovation panels, workshops, and networking with the 2026 theme 'Intersectional Leadership in Security Innovation'. Hosted by Telstra at the Customer Insight Centre in Sydney on 7 August 2026.
• AWSN Kids Digital Adventure Educational program for primary school students (Years 4-6) featuring games, puzzles, and online safety learning delivered in Brisbane.
• AWSN Cyber Security Experience Day Hands-on cybersecurity experience day for high school girls in Years 7-8, providing exposure to security careers and industry professionals.
• Boss of the SOC Competition Incident response competition placing participants in a real-world Security Operations Centre environment to test cyber skills.
• AWSN Speed Mentoring Event Fast-paced interactive session bringing together mentors and mentees for short focused conversations to gain diverse perspectives and build relationships.
• AWSN Chapter Events Regional chapter events held across Perth, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, and Regional areas, including networking breakfasts, dinners, and professional development sessions.
• Capture the Flag (CTF) Workshops Beginner-friendly hands-on Capture the Flag workshops designed to build cybersecurity skills and confidence in a supportive environment, facilitated by experienced practitioners.
• AWSN Cadets and Scholars Programs Programs supporting women at various stages of their cybersecurity journey from education to executive leadership, providing pathways into the security industry.
• Gender Dimensions Research Reports RMIT-partnered research studying gender diversity in Australia's cybersecurity sector, including the landmark 'Gender Dimensions of the Australian Cyber Security Sector' report published April 2023.
• AWSN Jobs Board Job board providing regular updates on job and internship opportunities from companies actively recruiting AWSN members.
• AWSN Video Library Extensive library of past webinars available to members, covering cybersecurity topics and industry insights.
• AWSN Mobile Forensics Workshop Pre-Symposium workshop exploring mobile forensics, device protection, digital evidence recovery, and career pathways in digital forensics, facilitated by SANS Institute instructor.
• AWSN Individual Membership Annual subscription providing access to AWSN's programs, events, member Slack workspace, jobs board, newsletters, and member pricing on partner events.
• AWSN Group Membership Organizational group membership for up to 25 staff representatives with discounted individual rates, enabling companies to provide AWSN benefits across their security teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.6 out of 5 average participant satisfaction rating for Secure Coding Workshops
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TelstracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2026Platinum corporate partner and host of AWSN Symposium 2026 at Telstra Customer Insight Centre in Sydney.
• UN Women AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026National partnership with UN Women Australia for the Women in Leadership Summit 2026. AWSN Founder & CEO Jacqui Loustau moderates a panel. AWSN members receive $100 discount on registration.
• Commonwealth BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026Platinum corporate partner hosting AWSN Secure Coding Workshops at CBA offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Second year of partnership in 2026.
• Australian Computer Society (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2025AWSN joined the national consortium led by ACS as part of the Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry program, alongside AISA and AUS3C, under the Australian Government's Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030.
• Center for Cyber Safety & EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025AWSN joined the Center for Cyber Safety & Education and Global Leaders to launch the Global 50x50 Initiative for advancing women in cybersecurity globally.
• Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum corporate partner supporting AWSN's mission to increase participation and visibility of women in security careers.
• CyberCXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum corporate partner and collaborator on community events including Capture the Flag competitions and co-hosting CTF events.
• Secure Code WarriorcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing the gamified Secure Code Warrior platform for AWSN's Secure Coding Workshops and tournaments.
• CISCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold corporate partner. Sponsored AWSN/CISCO Kids Digital Adventure Games, Puzzles & Online Safety program.
• RMIT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership conducting the Gender Dimensions of the Australian Cyber Security Sector study. Hosted Victorian Women in Security Program celebrations.
• WestpaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold corporate partner. Hosted AWSN Cyber Security Experience Day for high school girls at Westpac Sydney in September 2025.
• ColescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold corporate partner supporting AWSN's diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• SuncorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold corporate partner.
• Chemist WarehousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold corporate partner.
• NABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner.
• MacquariecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner.
• IAGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner (Insurance Australia Group).
• Origin EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner.
• SEEKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner.
• Sydney WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner.
• TransurbancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner.
• CISO LensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver corporate partner and supporter sponsor for AWSN Symposium 2026.
• SANS InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-symposium workshop facilitator; Domenica Crognale from SANS teaching Mobile Forensics Unlocked workshop.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ISACA: Global professional association for IT governance, security, and risk professionals offering certifications, training, and chapter-based networking. Operates a membership-and-events model analogous to AWSN's.
• (ISC)²: Global nonprofit certifying body for cybersecurity professionals (CISSP, etc.) running membership programs, events, and diversity initiatives including WiCyS. Comparable on membership/community model at much larger scale.
• Australian Computer Society (ACS): Australia's broader ICT professional association — recently co-led the national consortium AWSN joined. Overlaps on professional development, certifications, and corporate partnership channels, though ACS covers all ICT not just security.
• Information Systems Security Association (ISSA): International nonprofit for cybersecurity practitioners with local chapters, mentorship, and education programming — closely mirrors AWSN's structure at global scale.

Direct peers

• Center for Cyber Safety and Education: Nonprofit running cybersecurity scholarships, education, and the Global 50x50 Initiative AWSN recently joined. Directly comparable mission in workforce-diversity and education programming.
• Australian Information Security Association (AISA): Australia's national peak body for cybersecurity professionals, running chapter events, training, and corporate engagement. Directly competes for the same Australian enterprise security-DEI budget and member mindshare.
• Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS): US-based nonprofit with near-identical mission: advancing women in cybersecurity careers through mentoring, networking, events, and education. Most directly comparable peer given shared focus, structure, and programming model.

Others

• OWASP Foundation: Global nonprofit running open-source security community with local chapters, training events (including secure coding workshops), and corporate sponsorship — comparable to AWSN's Secure Coding Workshops via Hack The Box integration.
• SANS Institute: Global cybersecurity training and certification provider; facilitates workshops for AWSN. Comparable on training delivery and corporate training partnerships, though operating at vastly larger commercial scale.

Regional players

• Women in Technology (WiT): Australian/NZ-based nonprofit supporting women in technology careers via mentoring, events, and awards. Adjacent in mission (women in tech) and serves overlapping corporate partner pool, though broader than security.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/australian-women-in-security-network-awsn
• Instagraminstagram.com/awsn_au
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian Women in Security Network