Careers with STEM: Cyber Security 2022

CAREERS

TERM 4, 2022

withSTEM

™

cyber security

cyber Graduates

Quiz: What’s your cyber style?

Discover surprising industries looking for cyber talent

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How to become a real-life spy p15

CAREERS with STEM.COM FINANCE + RETAIL + AGRICULTURE + HEALTHCARE + TRANSPORT + INTELLIGENCE

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CAN OUTSMART CYBERCRIMINALS

Cybercriminals are exploiting the internet’s speed and anonymity to drive a global crime wave with many organisations struggling to find the employees they need to fight back.

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You can lead the fight against cybercrime with a degree from Macquarie.

Our cybersecurity courses have been developed in consultation with experts from government and industry and combine insights into the motivations, mindsets and capabilities of cybercriminals with in-demand expertise in: • • • • • • •

information security and data privacy ethical hacking offensive security digital forensics applied cryptography secure coding artificial intelligence.

You’ll also complete an industry-based project to solve a real-world problem and take part in hackathon competitions to hone your skills.

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FOREWORD Executive Manager, Cyber Secure Networks and Cloud, Commonwealth Bank

Security is everyone’s business

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r security My pathway into cybeand thought I wanted high school, I loved maths

In e ed to sign up for a degre to be a physicist, but decid th wi ed gineering, combin in telecommunications en e engineering degree, a Bachelor of Business. Th ployable, while the would make me really em uip me with transferable business degree would eq nty of my beloved maths skills and still contain ple ed in finance. and numbers, as I major me out of a summer My first job after uni ca Group. I spent 10 years internship at Macquarie ed from a technical role there and my career evolv one focusing more on as a network engineer to o a network security job security. I later moved int o my current role. at CBA and eventually int

One of the best things ab out a career in cyber security is the diversity.

Even just within our bank , we have many different cyber security teams – as a graduate here, you could choose to follow a really technical path or you mi ght be more interested in a bigger-picture governan ce or intelligence role.

That diversity applies to the work as well. Every day is different and you’r e always trying to fig ure out what might happen next. Even when you rea d the morning news abou t global political tensions or hear about something tre nding online, it could all factor into the cyber securi ty risks you face that day!

In this magazine, you’ll meet cyber specialists working with me at CBA, but also at big tech firms like Google and in other more surprising sectors.

You’ll also get a sense of just how much this sector is growing and the types of jobs that are out there.

If that all sounds exciting , my advice is to follow your passion and keep tha t cyber security lens in mind, and you’ll find the path to your dream job.

Vivian Lee-Keo Executive Manager, Cybe r Secure Networks and Cloud, Commonwealth Bank

lens Through a securitytea m have technical my While a lot of people in is that “security is tto backgrounds, our mo cause everything we everyone’s business” – be gh a security lens. do can be looked at throu

one of the best things about a career in cyber security is the diversity” 3

Network Engineer, Macquarie Group

Vivian Lee-Keo

Executive Manager, Secure Networks and Cyber Clou Commonwealth Bank d,

Bachelor of Engineering (Telecommunications) / Bachelor of Business (Finance), UTS

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because you already ou might be reading this cyber security career. have your sights set on a rious’, wondering Or maybe you’re ‘cyber cu ether it’s for you. what it’s all about and wh ity careers are broad and The truth is cyber secur t is super-high, so chances demand for diverse talen that would suit you! are there’s a job out there nager, Cyber Secure My role as Executive Ma mmonwealth Bank (CBA) Networks and Cloud at Co -picture stuff when it means I’m in charge of big t manages its cyber risk. Bu comes to how the bank the wasn’t necessarily on a career in cyber security ginning. cards for me from the be

Network Security Tech Lead, Macquarie Group

Cyber Product Owner, Network Security, Commonwealth Bank

th looks like, No matter what your career pa to factor in at some cyber security is probably going portant this sector is! point. That’s how broad and im

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WHAT’S YOUR CYBER STYLE? Not everyone gets into cyber security for the same reason – which is great, because the sector needs diverse talent! Take our quiz to find out where you might fit – then meet your future mentor one of the below You can only press play on gets your pick?

Netflix shows – which one

1 A.

2

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Which of the below sounds like the best way to spend a rainy we ekend?

A. Bingeing true-crime docos and podcasts in my PJs B. Anything arty – painting, sketching, making music, writing stories C. On my computer! Gaming , coding, chatting with friends

B.

C.

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Which of these would featur e most in your dream career?

Which of these high school subjects tops the list for you?

A. Being engaged with curren t politics and news B. A lot of creativity and collaboration C. Working with cutting-edge tech every day

A. Legal studies B. Visual arts C. Digital technologies

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Which of these skills are you strongest in?

A. Learning new things and adapting B. T hinking outside the box and solving problems C. Knowing my way around any thing digital

answers

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Mostly As: CYBER CURIOUS

You’re a big-picture thinker and curious by nature, up to date with news, global politics and always immersed in a podcast or doco.

Cyber security needs people like you – experts who are tuned in to global political tensions and understand human behaviour and psychology. You might choose to jump straight into a cyber degree after school, or take a more niche pathway via criminology, psychology or law.

Meet your mentor: Read about Holly Takos’s path from cycling to criminology to cyber security on page 5.

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Mostly Bs: CYBER CREATIVE

You are arty by nature, you think outside the box and surprise people with your original, creative approaches to problem-solving. You know who also has to be super-creative?

Hackers. The cyber security sector needs people like you to stay one step ahead of the next attack. Communication is also superimportant in this sector – think coming up with a company’s cyber policies and explaining them in a clear, engaging way.

Meet your mentor: Read about how Tori Birch uses her creative skills in her cyber career on page 6.

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Mostly Cs: CYBER CERTAIN

You’re a tech fiend and probably already have your sights set on a career in cyber security. Awesome! The sector needs people who live and breathe digital to build secure networks and systems, and keep businesses, government and people safe from cyber criminals. Don’t forget to nurture other skills if you plan on pursuing a career in cyber – communications, organisation, problemsolving and people skills also play a big part.

Meet your mentor: Ben Sumners found his dream job at Commonwealth Bank. Read his story on page 7.

Cyber curious A love of true-crime shows turned into a career in cyber security for former pro track cyclist Holly Takos

“I

ly curious about ’ve always been extreme s people to understanding what drive havioural and commit crimes, from a be . cultural lens,” says Holly ationally as a pro ern int While competing s passion and signed track cyclist, she took thi inolog y at Flinders up for a Bachelor of Crim up with a Graduate University, following it Financial Crime at Certificate in Fraud and Charles Sturt University. t for choice when it Holly says she was spoil her degree, but she came to areas to study in erest in the ways developed a particular int hnology and the crime is evolving with tec tantly having to internet. “Society is cons traditional crimes adapt to changes in how gh new technologies, are being carried out throu respond to crime as well as to detect and fore,” she says. types we haven’t seen be

kos holly ta GRADUATE

technology

BRENTON EDWARDS

Keeping your career on tra ck

Holly’s path isn’t typica l for a cyber security specialist – not only is a criminolog y degree less common in this field, but pro cycling even less so! Having comp eted in and won international events, sh e retired to complete her studies, then landed her current gig as a technology graduate at Commonwealth Bank, working in cyber security.

“Coming from a backgro und that wasn’t deemed a traditional en try way into the field was extremely intimida ting and I str uggled with the confidence at fir st,” says Holly.

However, not only has he r supportive team helped her through any niggling ‘imposter syndrome’, but she’s also learnt that diverse backgrounds can be a rea l asset. “The wider the variety of people an d experience that we have working to defend our systems and networks, the better chan ces we have!”

The best bit? Holly’s cybe r career is totally fulfilling her fascination with the criminal mind. “A quote that has always stuck with me is that, while technology is the playing field, the players are human be ings,” she says.

Society is constantly having s to adapt to change in how traditional crimes are being h carried out throug new technologies” Professional cyclist, Australian Cycling Team

Graduate Certificate in Fraud and Financial Crime, Charles Sturt University

Bachelor of Criminology, Flinders University

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Technology Graduate, Cyber, Commonwealth Bank

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chnology GRADUATE

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girls studying e know there’s a shortage of who do choose it STEM, while often the ones ers or scientists. come from families of engine and in high school Tori had Yet Tori’s mother is a cellist a teacher. her sights set on becoming year-old me that I didn’t “I wish someone had told 13puter scientist to study need to be a stereotypical com “Stereotypes that they’re computer science,” she says. drink-addicted, middle-aged all socially awkward, energy to see myself – a young, men interfered with my ability a computer scientist.” creativity-driven female – as her high school opened Thankfully, a STEM event at ence careers could really her eyes to what computer sci s, in fact, creativity and be about. “I saw that there wa says. artistr y in technolog y,” she

Talking tech

LAUREN TROMPP

of Science (Computer Tori signed up for a Bachelor ough the university’s Co-op Science) at UNSW Sydney thr ng she completed three scholarship program, meani her studies. industry placements during hips that I accomplished “I found throughout my interns s able to talk and discuss the most in roles where I wa

The STEM industry is one that thrives on creativity and originality”

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technolog y with my peers,” she says. “Although I wasn’ t exactly sure where my career would take me, I knew I wanted a role where I could interact and communicate with my colleagues.”

After graduating, Tori joined Commonwealth Bank as a technolog y graduate (cy ber), using her STEM skills, creativity and knack for com munication to help keep the bank and its customers safe from hackers.

“For me, this is the per fect blend of the technical and non-technical,” she says.

Tori is passionate about inspiri ng more people like her to pursue careers they mig ht think aren’t for them.

“The STEM industry thrives on creativity and originality,” she says. “Despite this, the industry lacks diversity which, in turn, means there is less diversity of thought.

If I could give advice to studen ts, it would be to not cut yourself off from opportunities simply because you don’t see yourself represented in that field or in its media.”

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Intern, WiseTech Global

Business Analyst, Reporting and Analytics Solutions, Westpac Group

Manufacturing Division Computer Scientist Intern, ResMed

Victoria ‘Tori’ Birch loves art and communications, and she’s now helping keep Australia’s biggest bank safe from hackers as a cyber security graduate

Technology Graduate, Cyber, Commonwealth Bank

Cyber creative

Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) (Co-op Scholarship), UNSW

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Victoria ‘Tori’ Birch te

Cyber certain Originally a self-taught “tech nerd”, Ben Sumners is loving his career in cyber security at Commonwealth Bank

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r when he first en says he can’t remembe ays been a part got into tech – it’s just alw re were no tech of his life. However, the every thing I had to classes at his school, “so uided study”, he says. learn was through self-g pretty big gap in his This meant there was a reers were available knowledge as to what ca umed there were to him: “I always just ass t I could do, like maybe only a few jobs tha hacking and IT repair.” up for a Bachelor of Even when Ben signed uarie University, he did Cyber Security at Macq eresting – but he still so because it sounded int how diverse the job didn’t really understand d now there are landscape is. “I understan ferent roles just in literally hundreds of dif says. cyber security alone,” he

ers Ben SumADnUA TE 2023

technology GR

Living the dream

I understand now there are literally hundreds of different roles just in cyber security alone!”

Bachelor of Cyber Security, Macquarie University

placements at Common wealth Bank as a cyber security advisor every ye ar of his degree, so he must have felt pretty fam iliar with the place when he landed a gradu ate role at the bank!

Currently working on sec ure internet access, designing policies and guidelines for employees, Ben loves be ing able to question how things are done an d implement best practice – his focus right now being a project that will shift the way his team monitors internet access, further improving security.

“I’m currently living my dream job and love every thing that I’m doing ,” he says.

Ben’s advice for anyone interested in a career in cyber security is to jus t go for it.

“It’s a career that will ne ver die,” he says.

“You won’t regret it.”

And whatever your back ground looks like, whatever path you end up taking, Ben says you can always give your career a kickstart right now by being a sel f-directed learner like he was. “There are tho usands of good introductions to cyber sec urity on the internet.” – Gemma Chilto n

CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program, Cyber Security Advisor, Commonwealth Bank

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LAUREN TROMPP

kers Indigenous Through the CareerTrac undertook summer internship program, Ben

Technology Graduate (2023), Cyber, Commonwealth Bank

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incredible industries!

are just rk for banks or big tech – here wo ds gra led kil r-s be cy all t No curity u could land a job in cyber se a few other sectors where yo

I

cted and digital n our increasingly conne eryone’s business. world, cyber security is ev you might land If you’re wondering where ex this citing and a job after skilling up in ght be surprised how in-demand sector, you mi are! – Craig Ford many opportunities there

W hat’s the Internet of Thin gs?

When we tal k abou t IoT, we mean all the de vices that are con nected to the internet – for example, for automated updates or to com mu nicate usefu l or importa nt data.

Healthcarecyber risks the

Transport

ny You’d be surprised how ma ery day. As a cyber pro ev es healthcare industry fac rk on IoT (Internet of in this sector, you could wo devices like pacemakers Things) and the security of are surgically attached to or insulin pumps, which cted to the internet and at patients. These are conne potentially deadly results!. risk of being hacked, with systems also need to be Patient data and medical art people to keep our protected, and we need sm licious hackers. With 7.3% health data safe from ma ber attacks for the 2020-21 of Australia’s reported cy healthcare sector, there financial year targeting the heroes who want to make is huge demand for cyber a difference and save lives.

Driverless cars aren’t the stuff of science fiction – they’re speeding into the present right now, with companies like Tesla releas ing semi-autonomous vehicles that practically dri ve themselves. One day, cars might not even have a steering wheel!

These vehicles need a lot of inbuilt technology to drive unassisted. But would you trust a car driving you around if it was at ris k of being hacked?

We need cyber security pro s to help test these systems by trying to break and manipulate them – before the bad guys figure it out. For example, you could review the softw are during development and help plug security vu lnerabilities before the new version of the car’s sof tware is released.

This industry has been cri ticised for not building enough cyber security int o its systems – which means huge career poten tial for aspiring cyber heroes willing to join the effort to make them safer!

Bonus sector: media Did you know you could als your cyber security skills asoaapply like author and journalist Cra writer, who wrote this article and theig Ford, about becoming a cyber spy one on p12.

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Craig started his career in IT, before moving into cyber security. He has app lied his expertise as a cyber consultan t for the Australian Tax Office and is the Queensland chair of the Australian Informa tion Security Association. Craig’s writing has appeared in publications including Cyb er Today, Cyber Australia and Women in Security Magazine. He is also the author of three books: A Hacker I Am (1 & 2) and Foresight. @CraigFord_Cyber

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rke Richardn Bu Security

Retail The retail sector made up 4% of Australia’s cyber victims by industry in the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s 2020-21 cyber report.

And it’s not just online shopping that’s at risk – the world of retail is merging at warp speed with connected platforms, including Meta, the company that owns Facebook. Just imagine the amount of data retail stores hold: often our name, date of birth, address and shopping habits, just for a start! This makes the sector a growing target for cyber attacks – so demand for cyber-skilled pros is growing too.

Information Security Manager, GrainCorp Head of Information Security, Ricoh Australia

Systems Administrator, Macquarie University

s information security manager at Australian agribusiness GrainCorp, when war broke out in Ukraine in 2022, Richard’s job involved providing secure communication channels to GrainCorp’s small Kyiv-based team, including protecting their personal location data.

“It was a meaningful project, knowing the very real risks our employees were exposed to,” he says.

Richard studied IT at TAFE before enrolling in a Bachelor of Science (Information Technology) at RMIT, but dropped out after his first year as he was already working in the sector.

“It was only as my career progressed that I realised how valuable that education actually was and felt like I had fallen behind.”

So Richard signed up for a Master of IT (Management) at Macquarie University and is now working on a project assessing the cyber risk of Graincorp’s key suppliers, “with the ultimate goal of protecting global food supply”, he explains.

Senior IT Project Manager, Ricoh Australia

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Master of IT (Management), Macquarie University

It’s Richard Burke’s job to keep one of Australia’s biggest players in food security cyber-safe

Diploma of Network Engineering, TAFE NSW

ised to see farming on thi s list!

Why would we need cyber protection for crops or livestock? In fact, many mo dern farms use tech for all sorts of things – for exam ple, sensors that track how much feed animals eat fro m their troughs. If someon e manipulates that data, an imals could starve or be overfed, sending a farm bro ke due to excessive costs!

This sector also involves manufacturing and processing facilities like fac tories, which rely heavily on the use of technology and sensors. What would happen if our food supply chain suddenly shut down and no food was made or packaged?

We have seen cyber attack s affect logistics in recent times, with ransomware bre aches against companies Toll and TNT, which trans port food supplies.

IT Manager, Sony DADC

Informatio Manager, GrainCorp

Food and farming You might be surpr

Emily Harmon’s career at hard ware giant Bunnings has progressed from checkout to cyber security

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mon Emily Hacurrit y Cyber Se Administrator, Bunnings

Team member, Bunnings

hen Emily was working in a cus tomer-facing role at Bunnings , she would occasionally have to phone IT suppor t. On those calls, she fou nd she was curious about the job of the people on the other end of the line.

“I was also interested in how all our systems and tech inte racted together,” she says.

Emily was inspired enough tha t she enrolled in a Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering) at Edi th Cowan University. Then, after par ticularly enjoying a computer security subject, she switched her major to cyb er security.

Emily, who is still completing her undergrad, has now bee n working at Bunnings for nine years and is par t of the company’s cyber operations tea m, managing access privileges, policies and proced ures for more than 55,000 em ployees.

Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security), Edith Cowan University

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IT Service Desk, Bunnings

Cyber Security Administrator, Bunnings

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Emily Major-Goldsmith cyber security

WORDS: NADINE CRANENBURGH

Hard and soft skills Emily was initially attracted to cyber security by the job opportunities and great pay.

“I started to look closely into the industry and the careers available, and a curiosity was sparked,” she says.

Emily decided to study a Bachelor of Science (Cyber Security) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) – the only Perth uni to offer a standalone degree at the time. She says her time at ECU also offered valuable opportunities

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to develop her skills as an am bassador and speaker.

“Technical skills are important , but soft skills take you a long way in this industry.”

During her degree, Emily wo rked as a ser vice desk technician at Kinetic IT, which turned into an Associate Security Consultant position after she completed an industry placement during her final semester.

Diverse grads needed !

Emily says inspiring a divers e next gen of cyber security grads is a top priority becaus e, to outwit hackers, we need people with a wide ran ge of backgrounds and thinking styles. “The cyber ind ustry is expanding into almost every field you can thin k of. Without a new generation of diverse grads, we are going to struggle to meet all our challenges!”

e Technical skills arls il important, but soft sk in take you a long way this industry” 10

Service Desk Technician, Kinetic IT

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s a cyber security consultant at Kinetic IT in Perth, Emily says no two days are ever the same. Her role involves analysing IT systems to find risks that hackers could exploit and coming up with options to stop them. But she also pursues her interests in marketing and community participation.

“I get to mentor high school students, work within the community and write articles and information pieces relevant to cyber,” says Emily.

Another great perk is job flexibility. Emily works three days a week from home and is currently on an extended break, spending time with family in the UK and travelling around Europe.

Ambassador and presenter, Edith Cowan University

Cyber security consultant Emily Major-Goldsmith loves the flexibility and diversity of working in the sector

Bachelor of Science (Cyber Security), Edith Cowan University

r e e r a c d e d n u o r A well-

Associate Security Consultant, Kinetic IT

Security Consultant, Kinetic IT

consultant

Cyber Security at ECU Australia’s on ly I nternational Cyber Security Centre of Excellence With our reliance on internet-based technology, there’s never been a greater need to protect Australian businesses, government and the community.

ECU offers the largest academic cyber security and research program in Australia. We are the first and only university from Australia to join the International Cyber Security Centre of Excellence as an Affiliate Member.

The organisation was initiated in 2019 by universities across UK, Europe, the US and Japan and acts as a hub for cyber security research, education and advocacy.

ECU’s Security Research Institute (ECUSRI) offers world-class research in Cyber Security, Critical Infrastructure Security, Digital Forensics and Human Security, and has a history of delivering successful research projects for Federal and Defence agencies. Our cyber team includes a member from the Interpol Global Cybercrime Expert Group.

Our world-class teaching and research facilities feature state-of-the-art computer laboratories to support our Cyber Security courses including a red/blue teaming room and two Security Operation Centre spaces.

to find out more, visit ecuworldready.com.AU/cyber-security

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Cyber Q&A We sat down with real-life cyber pros in different roles to ask your burning study and career questions

Hacking cyber study Thomas Bienasz Cyber Tech

Bachelor of Cyber Security, Macquarie University

DANIELLE LUCAS

Internship at BT

Cyber Technologist, Darktrace

nologist, Darktrace

CwS: What was the cooles t thing you did or learnt while studying cyber securi ty at Macquarie Uni? Thomas: In one subject, we learnt some of the ways to breach systems using hackin g techniques. It was really interesting to research that and see systems from a cyber attacker’s perspective.

Another cool subject was digital forensics – we got to look at how a user might try to delete mass amounts of doc uments from their hard drive, but using special sof twa re we can still view it.

CwS: How is a cyber securi ty degree different to a computer science or IT deg ree?

Thomas: Cyber security is a niche. IT and computer science degrees are more abo ut classic programming and coding. There’s still cod ing in cyber security, but it’s more about being on you r toes and aware of your surroundings, and being abl e to anticipate and think like the attacker. We learn how to make a barrier to make it less likely for attackers to per form successful hacks.

CwS: I’m still in high school – what kind of things can I be doing right now to set myself up for a career in cyber security?

Thomas: Try to do as many IT courses at school as possible for your elective sub jects. I only did one and didn’t realise I could do more, which probably would have been beneficial for me for uni. There are also some great YouTube documentarie s on things like scams and hacks that have been occ urring recently – that will help you be on top of wh at’s going on in the world.

H

technology elping his parents navigate interest in s as’ as a child sparked Thom ool and sch h tech. Fast-forward to hig e time cam en it cyber security stood out wh ns. to consider his career optio eer pathway car g sin mi “I saw it as a pro d lots of interesting with jobs in the future an opportunities,” he says. elor of Cyber Thomas completed a Bach iversity, then scored Security at Macquarie Un ificial intelligence a role at Darktrace, an art r in cyber security. company and global leade ’s responsible for As a cyber technologist, he ber defence expertise providing technical and cy including McLaren to Darktrace’s customers, nk and Bunnings.

Racing, Commonwealth Ba

try to do as many it courses as possible for your elective subjects”

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Securing a career in cyber hal Kavika SCoinnsgul tant, EY

Cyber Security

C

e to make uriosity and a strong desir vika’s career a difference kickstarted Ka h, to begin in cyber security – althoug nd in information with, she had no backgrou technology or coding. industry “Establishing myself as an ler-coaster ride,” professional has been a rol she explains. elor of Cyber Kavika enrolled in a Bach Western Sydney Security and Behaviour at th since then has University. Her career pa vate investigator at included working as a pri ce, an internship a company called Cybertra nt gig as a cyber with Google and her curre fessional services security consultant at pro Young). company EY (aka Ernst &

cyber security will be a necessity in every industry that uses technology”

CwS: What is it that makes cyber security such a coo l career to get into?

Kavika: Cyber security is a hub for innovation and advancement, owing to the new changes in technolog y.

If challenges keep your adrena line running and learning is your favourite subject, cyber sec urity is the best place for you .

CwS: What should I study after school if I want to wo rk in cyber security?

Kavika: Any technolog y deg ree! Australian universities and TAFE run many cyber securit y programs to help aspiring cyber security professionals learn and gain experience in the industry. However, if you are interested in engineerin g, artificial intelligence (Ai), ma chine learning, blockchain, computer science or inform ation technolog y, these fields are a great stepping stone to aim for a cyber security car eer.

Bachelor of Cyber Security and Behaviour, Western Sydney University Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador

In the near future, cyber sec urity will be a necessity in eve ry industry that uses technolog y, so you aren’t bound by any limitations on your exploration journey!

CwS: I don’t know how to code! Could I still get a job in cyber security?

Kavika: Yes, of course! Cod ing is not a prerequisite for building a lot of cyber securit y jobs. The level of coding knowledge required depend s on your chosen niche for the field, however you can gain the skills on the job.

CwS: Best thing about you r job?

Kavika: Real impact and col laboration. Cyber security is not a one-person job; many teams come together to defend against cyber criminals. At the end of the job, I love the feeling of making a genuine impact in the world through my work.

Cyber crime Investigator, Cybertrace Research Assistant, Western Sydney University

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Information Technology Intern, Google Cyber Security Consultant, EY

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Discoveringof cherytebchedergree,

year sful After a difficult first and now has a succes nd ou ar k uc st e Le s France engineer at Google career as a security

Cyber stats The need for cyber talent is sky-high – with plenty of career opportunities (and perks) for people with the right skills. But don’t just take our word for it! Here are the numbers

$15.7 billion generated in cyber security revenue in 2019-20

17,000 more jobs in

cyber predicted by 2026

$7.6 billion

predicted to be spent annually on cyber in Australia by 2024

e FrancesginLe eer, Security En Google

Cyber crimes reported to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) in 2020-21

67,500

$33 billion Losses resulting from cyber crime in 2020-21

everyone has a multitude of different skills and experiences”

$9.9 billion

towards ramping up Australia’s cyber security capabilities in the 2022 Federal Budget

2022 The year Australia became the first-ever G20 nation with a dedicated Minister for Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil

25% of Australia’s cyber options when she rances was still exploring her at a UNSW open attended a cyber security talk went home and day and was fascinated, so she it. She loved the idea started reading more about ple and make the of a career that would help peo g up for a Bachelor of internet a safer place, signin at UNSW. Science (Computer Science) ling, though.

Her path wasn’t all smooth sai first year of uni and Frances failed a subject in her s! However, as she considered switching degree er security subjects hadn’t actually started any cyb und for another term. yet, she decided to stick aro

LAUREN TROMPP

F

ce Bachelor of ScienUN SW , ce) ien Sc r ute mp (Co

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!” says Frances, “Luckily I did and I’m here now ree under her belt, who not only now has her deg er at Google, where but works as a security engine s for the security she helps automate workflow security of third team and also assesses the h. parties that Google works wit g with a diverse rkin Wo ? job A highlight of her team of talented people. different skills “Everyone has a multitude of ibly insightful to red inc and experiences and it is riad of different my a learn and pick their brain on lton Chi topics,” she says. – Gemma Security Engineer, Google

Cyber Risk Advisory Intern, Deloitte

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security workforce are women – almost twice as high as the global average, but with room for improvement!

57% of businesses

report having trouble finding skilled cyber security staff Sources: YourCareer.gov.au; AustCyber; ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report (2020-21); The Guardian; McAfee Cyber Security Talent Report

You could become a cyber spy, working in a top-secret gig for one of many government agencies to help keep Australia safe r spy , edge-of-your-seat cybe ho doesn’t love a thrilling encies ag n ers, super-secret foreig movie, with skilled hack and loads of action? ’t quite so a career as a cyber spy isn of lity rea the se, ur co Of the most career that lets you use a nt wa u yo if t bu , od threats, Holly wo the biggest and scariest ht fig to es iqu hn tec ge cutting-ed e analyst in one urity or threat intelligenc then a job as a cyber sec you! nt agencies could be for of Australia’s governme up for a cyber w is the best time to sign The good news is that no s recent $9.9 billion Australian government' spy career, thanks to the nal intelligence targeted at building natio ars ye 10 er ov nt me est inv Craig Ford and cyber capabilities. –

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Meet a real-life spy!

Bradley Deacon has law and cyber crime, a background in an as a federal agent wid once worked th the AFP l agent in the Australian arly in my career as a federa to be a par t of the newly Federal Police, I was for tunate t m. It was the early 1990s, jus formed Computer Crime Tea commonplace. as computers were becoming h state and territory police, wit y The AFP also works closel er ncies in the fight against cyb and international policing age in. of STEM areas you can serve crime, and there are a range , Australia, the United States I investigated cases across e and now work as a cyber crim New Zealand and Hong Kong, s tion iga est inv er harrowing cyb analyst on some of the most safer place for all. to help make the internet a Arts

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Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice Administration), RMIT te Gr aduate Certificaca n (Cybercrime), Ameriity Military Univers

Bachelor of Laws, Deakin University Federal Agent (Former), AFP

Master of (National Security)n ca (Terrorism), Ameriity Military Univers Senior Cyber e Investigator, Privat

To the untrained eye, the kinds of government agencies where you might work as a cyber spy look a bit like a jumble of acronyms.

Here’s the lowdown on some of the main ones:

CYBER SECURITY+PATHWAYS

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Y P S a e m o c e B

Where do Australia’s spies work?

ADF

Australian Defence Force Our military forces, including the Air Force, Navy and Army, undertaking military and humanitarian activities for the nation.

AFP

Australian Federal Police The principal federal law enforcement agency of the Federal Government, investigating and protecting national security.

ASD

Australian Signals Directorate Australia’s military spy agency, which conducts cyber warfare and cyber defence activities.

ASIO

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Australia’s version of the CIA! It protects us from espionage, sabotage, foreign interference, attacks on critical infrastructure and terrorism.

ASIS

Australian Secret Intelligence Service Our foreign human intelligence service. Its job is to collect information through human contacts overseas to benefit Australia and its interests.

ONI

Office of National Intelligence An intelligence agency solely accountable to the Prime Minister of Australia, with a primary duty to provide relevant intelligence.

Cool pr

ogram ale The ADF C rt! yber Gap P support, m rogram off entorship er s financia and trainin l Wa nt to k g to cyber ickstart y students ou r cyber you even spy career g before A DF's 12-m raduate? One way is th roug h onth Cyber the Gap P rog ra students w ho are en m, wh ich rolled or a a llows a cyber-rel lread y stu ated field d y in g in to ga in sk mentori n g. il ls , k nowled T he prog ra ge a nd suppor t to m includes help cover fi na ncia l the cost of and relate the cou rs d expense e s, and doe participa n s not obliga ts to serv te e in the A DF. Visit defe ncejobs.g ov.au to fi nd ou t more ab out cyber ca re ers!

Could you crack this code?

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) released this special 50c coin, which includes several codes to crack – four layers of which wer e solved by a 14-year-old from Tasmania in just over an hour! Talk about tee n spy skills!

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CYBER SECURITY