A career in cyber security

Are you curious about cyber security but don't know where to start? A technical background or knowledge is not a pre-requisite. If you are curious, inquisitive and love problem-solving, you will love Cyber Security!

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Cyber Security courses and traineeships

See yourself in cyber

Career program for NSW students

NSW Department of Education schools can register for the 2024 career program. The next event is on the 20 November. 

TAFE

Introduction to Cyber Security micro-skill - watch videos, hear from experts, read reports and use interactive quizzes to help you learn. NSW students and teachers can access this course for free.

Certificate III in Information Technology - specialise in cyber security, game design, IT networking, IT support or web design. Access Certificate III in Information Technology ICT30120

Understanding cyber threats

Use threat modelling to identify, communicate and understand threats. Teacher notes are provided. This module suits Digital Technologies students in years 9-10 and computing courses in years 11 and/or 12.

Access Understanding cyber threats

University degree

Learn the behavioural science behind online fraud and advanced hacking and think dynamically to respond to cyber threats. 

Acess Bachelor of Cyber Security and Behaviour at WSU

Information Security courses

Learn about network and operational security and specialise in preventing, detecting and combating cyber threats. 

Access CompTIA Security+ and Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

Microsoft traineeship

Prepare for cyber roles such as junior software developer, systems engineer, cyber security specialist or cyber crime analyst. This 2-year program combines paid, on-the-job experience and supervision with formal training. 

Access Cyber Security Microsoft Traineeship program

Cyber Academy

Deloitte, TAFE NSW and Wollongong University combine to provide this unique degree program with an earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship. 

Access Cyber Academy

CyberCX Academy

This is a paid, permanent full-time training opportunity designed to launch your career in cyber security. No prior experience is necessary.

Access CyberCX Academy

ASD CyberEXP

An interactive online program to take you through a day in the life of cyber specialist experts working in the Australian Signals Directorate. The experience is based on real-life scenarios and provides a taste of what it is like on the front lines of security.

Access ASD CyberEXP


History of cyber security

Secrets shared in WWII

Before WWII, the Swiss had the commercial version of the Enigma machine that was sold to banks. So when World War II started, the allies did have a bit of a head start because they roughly knew how the German Enigma worked.  

Watch this video to hear from Mike Pritchard about this machine and how it works with a set of rotor from the original machine used in WWII. Visit Australian Spy Museum for this and more historical cyber security information.

Video transcript

Sending encrypted messages during WWII

How did they use an enigma machine to talk to another machine so you can send an excypted message to another side of the word? This process uses ciphers so your message is kept secret.

Watch Mike Pritcahrd explain how this was done. Visit Australian Spy Museum for this and more historical cyber security information.

Video transcript

 

Podcast

Don't Stop Us Now! Podcast

Abigail is the Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)

The ACSC which is part of the National Foreign Intelligence agency known as the Australian Signals Directorate. She describes her job as “revealing other peoples’ secrets whilst protecting our own”. The ACSC, is tasked with protecting Australia’s communications and technology networks and people from malicious cyber activity.

Listen to this podcast to hear from Abigail about: 

  • her career journey took her from being a lawyer in the Navy to a key role in an intelligence agency
  • why she realised she had to change her leadership style significantly
  • the pros and cons of having to lock your mobile away all day
  • tips of how we can all protect ourselves from cyber crime. 

State-based graduate programs

Various states in Australia offer graduate programs varying in length from 10 to 18 months. They offer job experiences across diverse roles,  training, networking, mentorship and also ongoing employment. Check them out below:

NSW government graduate program 

QLD government graduate program 

TAS government graduate program 

ACT government graduate program 

VIC government graduate program 

NT government graduate program

More resources

Read Careers with STEM: Cyber Security 2022 –  explore the range of jobs in this crucial field, and highlight real-life role models working in Cyber Security. Discover study pathways into a career in Cyber Security, career stats, insights and practical advice.

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