Answering the call for cyber experts: how to get started on this career pathway - The Western Weekender

PARTNER CONTENT Cyber security is quickly growing into one of Australia’s most dynamic industries, oscillating between a world that runs in the background and a landscape that also tends to take centre-stage whenever another Aussie business experiences yet another data breach. With the financial impact of cybercrime continuing to climb annually, one thing is certain: we’re in dire need of cyber security experts to help shape legislation, inform regulated processes, drive digital security teaching and education, and effectively lead the way for a safer future. Does this future-ready career pathway appeal to you? If so, consider following the industry pathways we’ve outlined below to help kickstart your career in cyber. Gain relevant qualifications Cyber security qualifications are gaining in popularity across Australia’s next generation of students, with many recognising the growing demand for cyber skill sets in the face of current and projected cyber threats. But not all cyber security qualifications are the same, so aspiring industry professionals need to consider what education and training will be most beneficial for them in their future role. Entry level courses that may support students in gaining basic ICT helpdesk or support roles and even roles in network penetration testing include a Cert IV in Cyber Security, or an advanced diploma or associate degree at a reputable university of TAFE institution. For the best Cert IV program, look to well-resourced courses led by experts like Box Hill’s Certificate IV in Cyber Security or UNSW’s Master of Cyber Security for a recognised, advanced qualification. Note: many cyber security courses do accommodate online students, so be sure to widen your pool of prospective institutions to see what course offerings are available to you both on-campus as well as via remote study. Find OJT training opportunities for upskilling Like most tech sector roles, a career in cyber security requires a commitment for continuous learning and study, mainly to keep in the loop with evolving cyber threats and the technologies and processes being developed to mitigate them. Thankfully, it’s also in your future employer’s best interests to make sure your cyber knowledge stays up-to-date, which is why it’s commonplace for so many cyber security and ICT departments to include budgets allocated specifically for staff training and upskilling. Yes, this means that in the cyber security sector, you can expect to find roles where you’re actually paid to keep studying and upskilling. No more having to balance your 9-to-5 with homework and taking notes while watching lecture recordings. As OJT (on-the-job training) is also commonplace for cyber security roles, you can expect to find work with even a Cert IV or other undergraduate qualification. From there, if you’re interested in pursuing further studies or even completing certificates relating to particular areas of expertise within the cyber landscape, simply put in a request with your employer and enjoy being able to shape your own learning journey. Outline your ideal career pathway Another added benefit of being able to handpick upskilling opportunities and shape your CV around these skills, is that you can enjoy greater flexibility when it comes to mapping out your career pathway. For cyber security graduates, there are opportunities in virtually every other Australian industry and a variety of different professional environments – because every single home, organisation, school, and business is in need of cyber security assets. For example, primary schools have unique cyber risk factors, namely because opportunistic third parties can hack school databases to harvest or hijack the budding digital identities of younger children. This is why ICT and technical support roles in school environments come with strict qualification requirements. If you have an interest in database management working within a school or other institutions like universities or hospitals will be sure to provide you with compelling professional experiences. Then, there are also security concerns across Australian industries, including the mining sector, agriculture, fabrication and manufacturing, telecommunications, and virtually all other professional environments that: Manage a large number of connected IIoT devices Maintain centralised data management systems Manage high-profile, highly sensitive datasets Manage secure access controls (i.e. swipe card access, biometrics, FOB access, etc.) With telecommunications data breaches like the infamous Optus data breach back in September 2022, we’ve been able to see in real time, the gross impacts of gaps in data management and cyber security systems within industry contexts. If you’re interested in revolutionising the way that Australian industries manage their data and protect the best interests of their customers (the Australian public), then finding a suitable security role in the industry landscape that’s most piqued your interest is a great place to start. Contribute to industry initiatives and events Finally, Australia’s cyber security industry landscape itself is filled with diverse voices, ranging from cyber security teachers and educators, to professionals working in leading security firms, for regulatory bodies, and even in government offices. Across all of these segments of the sector, we’re also seeing a diverse variety of discussions, spanning from enterprise security to national security, and from identity theft to phishing and whaling, AI in malware, and all the other talking points we’re seeing pop up in mainstream media, and emerging subjects that are being added to cyber security learning courses worldwide. Upon carving out your niche within the cyber security sector, you’ll find that there are discussions you’ll feel more invested in than others. So the best thing you can do at this point in your career is to simply get involved and make your own contributions to the discourse taking place around you – be it in your workplace, or across forums and other communities you’ve joined online. And of course, in maintaining a community presence for yourself as a professional, you’ll be extending your own industry network as a result, which means access to more opportunities that may suit your skill sets and interests down the line. Begin your illustrious career in cyber security Like most career pathways, establishing yourself in cyber security is a lot easier with a strong network and a purpose-driven CV. You don’t necessarily need to have your ideal pathway all mapped out before you start studying, though. Whether you’re undertaking a Cert IV in Cyber Security or a Master’s for advanced qualifications, your time at school will naturally see you engaging with different facets of cyber and gaining a stronger understanding of cyber contexts across different Australian industries. So for now, just absorb as much as you can, and reflect here and there during your studies what types of industrial contexts and challenges are most compelling to you. From here, you can find the roles and opportunities that will align best with your interests and career goals. Partner Content More Posts The above article is partner content, and any information presented should be independently verified before making any decisions as a result of the content. This article does not constitute advice of any kind, nor does it represent the opinions of the website publisher. Share this story