Cameron McGuffie
Cyber Security & Software Development Professional
Cyber Security
What is cyber security?
Cyber security is an important part of our lives today. We live in an ever more connected world where devices have a constant connection to the internet. This type of connectivity brings bad actors, or criminals, into our homes and businesses and allows them access to our most intimate moments and locations.
To this end, cyber security protects an organisation's or an individual's information and systems from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure. This security can be achieved with simple controls, education, and the separation of devices to lower the chances of nefarious actions.
Why is cyber security important?
As the world increasingly relies on technology, ensuring our systems are secure is more important than ever. Cyber security protects us against attacks that could disable essential infrastructure, steal our data, or even cause physical harm. By taking steps to secure our networks and devices, we can help keep everyone safe.
By protecting your data, you are protecting yourself the same way you would defend something physical. For example, if you had gold at home, you’d put it away in a safe so that it could not be easily accessed or stolen. By ensuring good cyber security practices, you can protect your data the same way you would protect your physical items.
How to learn cyber security?
Cyber security is a critical skill to have in today's digital world. There are many ways to learn cyber security, but the most important thing is to start somewhere. Plenty of free resources are available online, as well as paid courses and certification programs. The best way to learn cyber security is to find a method that works for you and stick with it. Cyber security is an ever-evolving field, so it's important to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.
Australian Defence Force Cyber Gap Program
The Australian Defence Force Cyber Gap Program is a 12-month program that aims to teach you cyber security through both hands-on and theoretical work. The program runs every year, and there is no obligation to serve at the end of the program.
The best part about this program is that it pays for your degree, whether at university or tafe, so you can get yourself skilled without any financial outlay.
Having completed this course in 2020, I can say that it is extremely valuable and worth the time investment it takes to go through the program.
Click here to learn more from the ADF Cyber Gap website.
Studying at university
University is a great way to study cyber security. Most major universities now have various cyber security related courses for which you can sign up. As a school leaver, this can be at a bachelor level, and as an experienced professional, this can be at a graduate certificate level.
Ideally, you should have computer skills before starting a university degree in cyber security. However, if you are willing to put in the time and do the research yourself, you can get through the university degree with little computer skills. This is to say that the less you know about computers, the more time you need to put in.
Charles Sturt University is a great university that did my cyber security degree. They have a great partner called IT Masters that does all cyber security related courses.
Is cyber security a good career in australia?
Cyber security is a growing concern for businesses and individuals alike. The number of cyber security incidents in Australia has grown significantly in recent years. This has led to an increase in demand for skilled cyber security professionals.
There are many reasons why cyber security is a good career choice in Australia. Firstly, there is a high demand for qualified professionals. Secondly, the salary potential is very good. Thirdly, it is a challenging and exciting field that offers a lot of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
If you are considering a cyber security career, Australia is a great place to start your search. There are many job opportunities available, and the pay is very competitive. Cyber security is a rapidly growing field, so now is the time to get involved.
How to get into cyber security australia?
Entry into the security field can be a difficult task. Given the current digital environment, where it has become a norm to see a new security-related incident in the news, the job market is starting to heat up, and more jobs are becoming available daily. So it looks like 2023 will be when businesses start taking their network security seriously and employing more staff to ensure that their data is not compromised.
Having some hands-on experience is still the best way to get into any field, and using free tools and resources is a great way to get the experience without having a job. Some of these courses and resources can also help you to find an internship with a business that will teach you the skills required to get the job.
To reinforce any hands-on experience you may gain through online tools and resources, formal education from a university or TAFE is a great compliment that will increase your knowledge and employability.
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Written by
Cameron McGuffie
November 24, 2022