The release of millions of Qantas customer records on the dark web has shaken Australia’s aviation and travel industries – and rightly so. When one of the country’s most established brands falls victim to a major cyber attack, it’s a reminder that no organisation is immune.
But the deeper lesson isn’t just about technology failure, it’s about people and the growing gap between the cyber talent organisations need and the talent currently available.
Why aviation (and every data-heavy sector) is vulnerable
Aviation is one of the most connected industries in Australia. Airlines, airports, booking platforms and ground-handling systems exchange data constantly. That interconnectedness, combined with ageing legacy systems, creates multiple entry points for attackers. Even with the best firewalls and detection tools, it only takes one unpatched system, one compromised vendor or one human error to open the door.
The real issue: A cybersecurity skills shortage
According to recent industry reports, Australia faces a shortfall of more than 25,000 cybersecurity professionals. Across both public and private sectors, demand for skilled incident responders, detection engineers and GRC specialists far outstrips supply. This shortage leaves organisations vulnerable – not because they lack technology, but because they lack the people who can configure, monitor and respond effectively when threats appear.
Building resilience starts with teams
Cybersecurity resilience isn’t built overnight – it requires the right mix of technical capability, governance and leadership, and that begins with having the right people in place.
At Needus, we work exclusively in cybersecurity and technology recruitment, helping Australian organisations identify and secure the professionals who can strengthen their defences long before an incident occurs.
Our clients (including Palo Alto Networks, Channel Nine and several NSW Government agencies) trust us to find talent that combines technical expertise with the mindset needed to operate in high-risk, high-trust environments.
The Qantas incident will prompt many Australian organisations to re-evaluate their cyber posture. If you’re doing the same, now is the time to also assess your team capability, because in today’s threat landscape, people are the perimeter.
If your organisation needs to strengthen its cybersecurity team, reach out for a confidential discussion via our website, lukeb@needus.com.au or 0413 734 079.
