The high-profile hacks of Optus’ and Medibank’s customer data in 2022 were a wake-up call for C-suites across Australia. Among the vulnerabilities exposed was the lack of company directors with technical expertise regarding cybersecurity threats.

Of course, the boards of major companies need people with a wide range of skills and abilities, including legal and risk management experience to comply with ever more onerous governance requirements. Yet a 2020 Australian Institute of Company Directors report found only 3 per cent of Australian directors have STEM (scientific, technology, engineering and maths) backgrounds.