Introduction

Cybercrime in Australia is rising rapidly. From the major breachers that held headlines hostage for months, to government agencies and critical infrastructure being targeted, cyberattacks continue to hit hard and fast.

In the last few months alone, a major Australian university appears to have fallen victim to a ransomware attack, a QLD law firm, and an Aussie auto manufacturer have been hit, to name a few.

And while people panic about AI exacerbating the problem – with a new fear of open-source AI unlocked as a result of the recent DeepSeek controversy – we’re missing a massive opportunity – using AI to fight back. AI-driven cybersecurity presents a new frontier. By leveraging AI’s power, organisations can detect, predict, and neutralise threats before they escalate. This isn’t just a futuristic vision – it’s an urgent call to action for Australia’s cybersecurity industry to build smarter, more adaptive defences that outpace emerging threats.

Cyber criminals are already using AI to run smarter attacks, automate scams, and sniff out vulnerabilities. But that same technology can be turned against them. Open-source AI isn’t just a hacker’s playground; it’s a goldmine for cybersecurity experts who want to become proactive in reducing and ultimately stopping cybercriminals in their tracks.

AI Isn’t Just For The Big Players

In the 2022-2023 financial year, the average cost of cybercrime increased to $46,000 for small businesses and $97,000 for medium businesses. Not only are SMBs at risk – they’re desirable targets.

Many small and medium-sized businesses assume that AI-driven cybersecurity is only for big corporations. This is where open-source AI comes in. It levels the playing field by providing a unique advantage by allowing security teams to access and refine AI models tailored to specific threats and specific industries.

With the right tools, any company – whether it’s a local retailer or growing tech startup – can strengthen its defences without spending millions by leveraging open-source tools to create adaptive security solutions.

Building The Workforce

As it stands, Australian companies are playing defence, reacting to breaches after the damage has been done. AI can change that by detecting threats before they even happen.

The biggest roadblock? We don’t have enough experts to make AI-powered cybersecurity a reality. Australia is already short on cyber and IT skills, and by 2026, we’ll need at least 17,000 more according to the Australian Cyber Security Growth Network. Without skilled professionals to develop, train, and implement AI models, even the most advanced technology will fall short.

To bridge this gap, Australian schools, universities, businesses, and governments must prioritise AI and cybersecurity education. Programs like TAFEcyber – the TAFE and Australian Government partnership designed to build the country’s cybersecurity workforce through education and training – are a step in the right direction, fostering collaboration to train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, but there’s more to be done.

Australia is on the precipice of breaking through to the forefront of AI-enhanced cybersecurity, but it will require a collective effort. All organisations, big and small, public and private, need to contribute to the development of security-enhancing AI models, sharing insights and data to strengthen the entire ecosystem.

Government support is also critical. The Australian Government’s 2023-2030 Cybersecurity Strategy and subsequent Australian Cyber Security Action Plan aim to make the country a global leader in cybersecurity by 2030 by outlining a national framework to enhance cyber resilience through stronger incident response capabilities, protecting critical infrastructure, and fostering a more cybersecure workforce. But to get there, businesses of all sizes need to jump on board. AI-driven security shouldn’t just be for the ASX giants – it needs to be accessible for everyone.

Conclusion

The choice is clear; either let cybercriminals dictate the rules of engagement or leverage AI to turn the tables. Australia’s cybersecurity leaders, businesses, and policymakers must embrace open-source AI as a critical weapon in the fight against cyber threats.

By investing in AI talent fostering collaboration, Australia can position itself as a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity. The stakes are high, but with the right strategy, we can shift from playing defence to actively outpacing cybercriminals – using their own tools against them.

It’s time to hack the hackers.