The Canberra Cyber Hub Cyber Careers Symposium will demonstrate the industry’s need for diverse people with all skillsets. Photo: Canberra CyberHub.
Over many years of recruiting people into cyber industry roles, Andrew Slater has hired those with a bachelor’s degree or masters in computer science, others with a Certificate IV in IT and others with none of the above.
At first, the director of Principal Defensive Services at Ionize was surprised by the diversity of people moving into the industry – but not anymore.
“I have hired people straight out of college, mature-aged people, men and women with young families … One person had been managing an IGA, others were on IT help desks, I’ve had three ex-nurses and one of our recent recruits came from doing Ropes Access work,” he says.
“Among the people who’ve transitioned into cyber work on our team – quite effectively, I might add – there’s been no ‘type’.”
This message, that cyber needs a diversity of people with all skillsets, will be on show at the Canberra Cyber Hub Cyber Careers Symposium later this month.
Targeted at university students or those curious about transitioning into a career in cyber, the event includes a cyber industry exhibit to demystify cyber careers in Canberra, panel sessions to provide advice for those seeking to break into the industry and hands-on sessions to give a taste of diverse cyber skills.
As one of those responsible for recruiting for Ionize’s 24/7 security operation centre where most of the workers are in their first cyber role, Andrew has considerable experience in hiring first-timers to the sector.
He has hired from “almost any background you can think of” but says they all share one thing.
“The common thread is a desire. Desire to gain the knowledge, get experience in technical work in the industry and a hunger for investing in themselves,” he says.
“They take on shift work because they’re keen to break into tech work in the cyber industry. We’re well aware few people want to do 24/7 shift work their whole careers, but it’s a stepping stone. We take people, mentor them, build skills and hopefully, transition them into other roles within the business.”
In that way, Ionize has created an incubator for cyber talent – a role Andrew says everyone in the cyber sector should take on to some degree.
“There’s a lot of talk about a lack of resources and the skills gap. That’s not a problem for the government to face alone; industry needs to assist,” Andrew says.
Visitors to the Canberra Cyber Hub Cyber Careers Symposium will discover several pathways to a cyber career and be shown cyber skills are more than technical.
Attendees will also walk away with a better understanding of the industry’s scope – from the diversity of those in the industry to the wide variety of roles and necessary skills.
“I hope the biggest takeaway people have is that it’s not about having a degree, a masters or even a certification. There are no financial barriers to pursuing a cyber career. Demand is such that there are lots of things you can do for free and many ways to demonstrate your desire for knowledge and expertise in the sector,” Andrew says.
“Once you’re in, you can have 15 different careers without ever exiting the cyber space; it’s just that vast.”
The Canberra Cyber Hub Cyber Careers Symposium takes place on Wednesday 19 March at Canberra Hotel Rex.
