Should I upskill in cyber security? Meet 3 students who did

Want to learn how to help tackle cybercrime, patch digital vulnerabilities, and protect personal data?

Gain cyber security skills at VU and you could be out-thinking hackers.

You’ll graduate with in-demand skills — employers are advertising more jobs in cyber security than there are skilled people to fill them.

So, on to the practicalities. What’s it like to study cyber security at TAFE? What’s a normal week like?

We asked three Certificate IV in Cyber Security 22603VIC graduates about their experience.

“During the pandemic I was unemployed. I was working in hospitality, for almost 10 years, in a range of roles. When March 2020 came around, we couldn’t go to work. And then I heard about the Free TAFE opportunities and cyber security grabbed my attention.

“I also am a hobbyist programmer, and I thought some of my computer-related skills would carry over into that area. I also have a degree in games design and programming.”

Prior studies? [My degree] definitely put in a strong foundation. Especially the python scripting part, that was a lot easier to understand because of my prior studies.

A normal study week? The online classes would run 4 days a week from 9am—12pm, and then usually once that was done I would take a little bit of a break, and on some of those days the class would go from 9am—3pm, but the 12—3pm part was optional. I mostly did a lot of the TAFE work after hours, usually in the late afternoons, or in the evening.

Best part? Working with the virtual machines was quite cool and getting to know some of the tools behind Kali Linux software, or the operating systems, that was interesting. I think also learning the processes involved for how cyber security teams are structured to deal with incidents that arise. And how they deal with unknown threats.

Current job. I am starting a job in February 2023 as a graduate for the National Broadband Network.

Glad you made the change? I am very glad I made the change to an industry that is really in demand. I was very glad I was able to do the course because it wasn’t a really big commitment. It is only one year.

Keeping up with growing threat of cyber crime. What they would teach us is that a lot of the cyber security organisations would work together. And so we would always refer to a centralised repository of cyber threats, and a news website that would print out notices of emerging threats, and recent vulnerabilities that have been discovered. Teaching you how you used heuristic-based software; so instead of looking for the exact software that can be harmful, we’re looking for signs of harmful activity.

More companies will just need more cyber security teams in general. A lot of different cyber security experts. They will need more people in cyber security as the epidemic of cyber crime is ever-increasing.

“I was teaching an ICT subject to high school kids in the Middle East, before coming to Melbourne. When I moved to Melbourne I was looking for work, but when I came to applying for a job in my field I realised I needed to get an Australian certification.

"I came across this [Free TAFE] program that the Victoria Government was running and VU was facilitating. And, I was excited about it and I thought I might make a change and go for it.”

Prior studies? Yes. I have a Bachelors and Masters degree in Engineering and Computer Science, but I had been working in teaching for three years and I didn’t have any experience in industry. This program was really beneficial and helped me make a lot of contacts.

Best part? There were lots of networking events held at the VU campus, and that was very important. My advice to anyone joining the course: do attend the networking events. And you never know, you end up at the right place at the right time, and that is how I got my job.

Current job. I am working as an information security graduate at Greater Western Water. I have just started and of now, I am not into the very technical part of it. I am mostly towards the awareness side: I am working on creating an awareness program.

Glad you made the change? Yes. It helped me upskill. I had degrees but I didn’t have any experience. VU really did a lot to help me towards my goals.

Keeping up with growing threat of cyber crime. I think awareness programs are really necessary. Because, mostly the people who fall under scams are the people who are not aware of these sorts of situations. It’s important that more awareness is created in the community.

“I moved to Australia in 2020. Before I started my cyber security course, I had been working for Australia Post as a delivery driver. I was also studying English at VU Polytechnic, and someone I was studying with suggested that I could study cyber security in Australia. 

"I also had the privilege to have a quick chat with someone from my home country, who was working at one of the service providers in a government office. This person explained to me how education is very rewarding in Australia, and the importance of following my passion instead of trying to fit in with other people’s opinions.

"So I decided to study cyber security.

"Also, while I was studying, I saw a documentary on television about hackers attacking Australian people; scheming for money from a lady who was sick with stage 4 cancer. That inspired me to continue my study, to protect people from these attacks.”

Prior studies?  I graduated in computer science in my home country, Ethiopia. I already knew C++, the computer programming language, and that background was good. 

I learnt a lot of new things in the cyber security course — including teamwork.

A normal study week?  As I was juggling raising my two kids, I studied mostly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I used to work four days a week and once I started my study, I was working the night shift sorting post for Australian Post. 

Best part? This course is very supportive for students. I really enjoyed the teamwork, especially the project at the end. There is not one job in cyber security as every job is different. There are different roles, responsibilities and classes: the hacking part; the protecting part; the analyst part. You have to work as a team, it is about problem-solving together.

Current job. I am doing a lot of networking and I have applied for jobs but I haven’t got a job in the industry yet. Most jobs are asking for experience. I am still on track.

Keeping up with the growing threat of cybercrime. Awareness in the general public is the key to addressing cyber threats as most of the attackers are manipulating end users. Everyone has the potential to be impacted by a cyber-attack and public awareness is one of the best remedies to deal with cybercrime. We should also leave the technical aspects to specialist people. It is paramount for cyber security professionals to continuously build their knowledge and skills through experience and formal studies, as everything nowadays is changing very fast.