How To Launch a Cyber Security Career

With cybercrimes at an all-time high, costing Australian businesses an estimated total of $29 billion and adding up to a $9.2 million dollars’ worth of malware detections in 2020; the soaring demand for cybersecurity skills comes to no surprise. So how can you launch a career in cyber security?

1 in 3 Australians are now affected by cybercrime, making the sector a high-priority area among most companies today. Unfortunately, the country currently struggles with a shortage of approximately 17,000 workers, a additional number required by 2026 to effectively fight off the rising trend of cyber-attacks.

As such, government measures have been pushed to highlight cyber security as an ever-critical skills area, which includes a push for greater training opportunities in the field.

Whether you plan to pursue a career or simply build valuable, transferable skills in the area – plenty of educational programs in the field are now available to boost your knowledge.

Lumify Learn has recently joined this active push to upskill our workforce in cybersecurity; with a new ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security) to train both regular workers and aspiring security experts alike.

We break down the details of Lumify Learn’s new course below, its potential career pathways, and the benefits of pursuing a career in cyber security.

Build your skills through an ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)

Those interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career (or who simply boost their existing IT skillset) can build a fundamental knowledge of the field through Lumify Learn’s ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security).

This 18-month qualification is delivered completely online, and is structured into four main streams of training: ICT essentials; network security; analysing and designing cyber security; and leading and managing ICT infrastructure.

As such, the program dives into the critical, technical areas of the field; these including network security, incident response, disaster recovery, vulnerability assessments, and threat data analysis – as well as skills in broader IT areas such as ICT project management, business strategy, and ICT workplace ethics.

Those who complete the course will thus gain a comprehensive understanding of cyber security and its varying processes, as well as a more refined knowledge of basic ICT practices. You’ll also build the soft skills critical for any tech sector, such as the ability to lead and collaborate with teams; manage customer problems; and promote best practices and awareness of cyber security.

Why study with Lumify Learn?

Studying with Lumify Learn not only provides you with quality, up-to-date training – but also a flexible, versatile learning experience, to boot.

As an online course, their cyber security diploma allows you to study at a time, place, and pace that suits you best. Worry not over strict timetables and attending your physical, on-campus classes on time; Lumify Learn’s completely online experience is tailored to you and your preferred ways of study. All that’s needed is a stable computer and internet connection – and you can build the cyber security skills you need right from the comfort of your bed.

The program also recognises past certifications and experience (i.e. internships, on-the-job training, etc.), allowing you to “fast-track” your studies and achieve your qualification faster.

Additionally, you get an unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning’s resources, the internet’s global leader in online video training.

By undertaking Lumify Learn’s cyber security program, you’ll build the necessary skills required for higher education, higher-level certifications, broader career options, and ongoing professional development.

How do I enroll?

Once you’ve applied for this course, an advisor will call to discuss the details of the program and set up a time for the enrolment procedure. This involves completing the Student Application process, which involves assessing your Pre-Enrolment Profile and undertaking a Capability Quiz.

When this is done, you’ll then be invited to attend an online orientation for the course, in which you’ll be asked to complete the language, literacy, and numeracy quiz. Upon completing this, you’re then ready to start your course.

Additionally, payment for your course fees can be done in one of two ways: through upfront payment or a payment plan. Paying a full, one-off fee comes with an offer of a 10% discount – while a plan allows one to pay in 18 monthly installments.

Potential career pathways

The fundamental knowledge gained from our cyber security course can help open doors to entry-level roles in the field. Among these include:

IT security administrator

Cyber security administrators oversee all IT-related security issues and activity within a company. They ensure continuous, stable protection of business and customer data; assessing for potential vulnerabilities, breaches, or unusual activity. These professionals also play a key role in developing a company’s policies for storing, managing, and accessing digital information; typically working with a security analyst to determine the safest means of doing so.

According to Payscale, IT security administrators earn an average of $76,000 AUD per year.

Network security engineer

Network security engineers are responsible for providing, configuring, maintaining, and administering various parts of network and security-related hardware and software. These include firewalls, VPNs (virtual private networks), network protocols, and various security applications. Their day-to-day duties may also include developing new security solutions for businesses, replacing their existing security systems where necessary, and performing regular risk assessments.

According to Payscale, network security engineers currently earn an average of $88,437 AUD per year. 

Cyber security analyst

Those who enjoy the more analytical tasks of cyber security will likely find their ideal career path as a security analyst.

Though security engineers and administrators are more focused on the development of one’s security systems, cyber security analysts are more interested in the how’s and why’s of their performance. They monitor and document security performance, collecting data on security threats, vulnerabilities, and unusual activity – and ensuring newer, better strategies are developed to manage or mitigate them.

According to Payscale, IT security analysts earn an average of $84,406 AUD per year.

The importance of cyber security

While Australia’s cyber security field has grown by (approximately) 4,000 workers since 2017 – the number is a still a far cry from the extra 17,000 required by 2026, as of 2020.

Cyber security is therefore an industry of currently high demand, paired with a striking lack of available talent. Those who enter the field can thus find plenty of high-paying opportunities to build or grow their skills.

Additionally, you’ll have the skillset to protect companies and individual users from cybercrime – helping them save thousands (or even millions) in financial damage; typically due to reputational costs, trading disruptions or theft of intellectual property. A cyber security background can also help you ensure a business stays within strict regulatory guidelines, helping mitigate both the risk of critical data leaks and hefty legal fines.

Get the training you need with Lumify Learn today!

Defending yourself (and your business) against cybercrime, however, starts with proper training.

Lumify Learn’s newest cyber security program can help arm you with a solid, fundamental grasp of digital protection – exploring both the technicalities of the field and the broader IT skills surrounding it.

As mentioned, its online delivery also allows you to study around personal needs, commitments and schedule.

With a landscape of constant development and high skills demand, few tech areas are as exciting and rewarding as the field of cyber security. Build your skills in this growing field of ICT, and enquire with us today.