South Australia is expanding its cyber security education and career pathways through strategic collaborations between government and industry leaders. A standout initiative in this effort is CGI’s Cyber Escape Experience, which is being used to engage students in cyber safety and career exploration. 

CGI’s Cyber Escape Experience: Interactive learning for the future 

As a global leader in IT and Business Consulting, we have a proven track record of securing Australia's critical infrastructure through our cyber security services and deep expertise. We have partnered with Palo Alto Networks and South Australia’s Department for Education to deliver the CGI Cyber Escape Experience at Woodville High School. This interactive engagement transformed a 40ft-long shipping container into an escape-room-style learning environment, where students navigate real-world cyber risks and develop essential online safety skills. 

Speaking about the program, Tony Nicholls, Director of Space, Defence and Intelligence at CGI Australia, emphasised the initiative’s impact: 

“Our CGI Cyber Escape is an immersive experience that will resonate with students as they learn to navigate their personal cyber security risks online. We aim to inspire many of the students to pursue a career in STEM that contributes to Australia’s national security.” 

Woodville High School has embraced this hands-on approach to cyber security learning. Principal Anna Mirasgentis highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the school’s education strategy: 

“At Woodville High School we are shifting to focus not just on what students know, but on what they can do and who they can be. This Cyber Security escape room is a perfect opportunity for our students to experience and understand the power and impact of AI and its impact on global security.” 

Government support for cyber security careers 

The South Australian Government is making significant investments in cyber security education to build a workforce ready for major defence projects like AUKUS. The Hon. Blair Boyer, Minister for Education, Training and Skills, reinforced this commitment: 

“We are building new technical colleges specifically with those demands in mind and offering new Flexible Industry Programs (FIPs) within schools to support students, key industries and employers.” 

These initiatives, combined with CGI’s Cyber Escape Experience, provide students with hands-on exposure to cyber security concepts while fostering interest in careers critical to Australia’s digital and national security. 

Expanding cyber awareness and career opportunities 

Beyond its deployment at Woodville High School, CGI’s Cyber Escape Experience is a mobile initiative that will be transported to different locations across Australia. Steve Manley, Vice President for Australia & New Zealand at Palo Alto Networks, stressed the importance of such programs in cultivating a cyber-aware generation: 

“By partnering with CGI and the South Australian Department for Education, we’re equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.” 

As cyber threats continue to grow, industry-government collaborations like this are vital in preparing the next generation of cyber security professionals. 

CGI’s Cyber Escape Experience will be touring locations across Australia to support building cyber security knowledge.

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