The new 'Safety by Design' course will help online startups, tech companies and students of tech to prevent their platforms and services from being unintentionally weaponised to carry out abuse.
Director of the RMIT University Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation, Professor Matthew Warren, said the course was designed for a global audience of engineers, computer scientists, lawyers, ethicists, developers, designers and educators working or studying in the technology space.
“Safer online environments are important for everyone in Australia, as well as overseas, and this course will support a range of technical designers, educators and professionals to develop products and services that are safer,” Warren said.
“Throughout this course, learners will come to understand user safety as a fundamental design consideration for the online world. They’ll also learn that building safety in, as opposed to adding it on later, is not only better for people, but also better for business.
“By launching this course, we hope to facilitate more conversations about the importance of online safety, instil these principles within the marketplace, and pave the way for a more inclusive, diverse and vibrant online world."
Making online spaces safer
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the course would enable small or emerging tech players and students to apply Safety by Design across the service and product lifecycle, helping them to meet the expectations of an increasingly discerning and critical user base.
“People everywhere are clamouring for the tech industry to proactively safeguard their products and services from being exploited or weaponised. In Australia, for example, 82 per cent of adults have told us that tech companies have a responsibility for their online safety,” Grant said.
“In collaboration with RMIT University, we’re supporting the current and next wave of online innovators and start-ups to sharpen their competitive edge by helping them to give customers what they want: safer, more positive online experiences.”
Free, online learning to upskill tech professionals
Safety by Design is a Massive Online Open Course developed by RMIT University’s Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation, RMIT’s Digital3 and Australia’s eSafety Commissioner. It is moderated by an RMIT academic with in-depth cyber safety and cyber security experience.
The 12-hour course is freely available on the RMIT FutureLearn platform. For learners who complete the course, a certificate of achievement is available for $184.
