Kickstart Your Cyber Security Career: 5 Expert Tips from e2 Cyber and Lumify Learn

Did you know that Australia's cyber security industry contributes $6.9 billion annually to the country's Gross Domestic Product? The sector has over 315 companies, with an average company lifespan of 8.1 years.

Despite this growth, the cyber security industry faces a significant skills shortage. According to AustCyber, while there were 51,309 workers in the country in 2023, 12,500 jobs remained vacant.

The report also found that to reach the 85,000 cyber security professionals required by 2030, the cyber workforce needs to grow by 66%. This is equal to almost 5,000 jobs per year.

Based on insights from management consulting company Robert Half, the top in-demand cyber security roles in Australia include:

• Cyber Security Specialists: They monitor and analyse their network for vulnerabilities and suspicious activities and respond to incidents to minimise their impact or contain damages.

• Cyber Security Managers: They are responsible for strategic cyber security planning, budget management, and ensuring of compliance with Australian and international regulations.

• Network Security Engineers: They craft and maintain the security system that safeguards networks and data from attacks and unauthorised access.

• Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs): Aside from overseeing cyber security operations, CISOs also develop, implement, and enforce security policies to protect important data.

How To Effectively Prepare for a Successful Cyber Security Career

With so many opportunities in Australia’s cyber field today, how can you effectively prepare for a successful career?

Lumify Learn and cyber security recruitment agency e2 Cyber recently conducted a student exclusive webinar that discussed the importance of earning certifications and strategies for resume-building. Industry experts Jacob Bywater and Matt Kiss hosted the session, during which they gave practical advice for entering the field.

Here are some of the insights and strategies that were discussed in the e2 Cyber career webinar:

1. Have a Strong CV

When you apply for jobs, your CV, also known as your resume, is often the first point of contact for potential employers. It highlights your qualifications, skills, and accomplishments, making it easier for employers to see if you can add value to their organisation.

Having a CV that highlights your unique strengths and experiences can also set you apart from other candidates. This then increases your chances of being called back for an interview.

This is especially true in today’s cut-throat cyber security industry. Jacob of e2 Cyber explains:

"The cyber security market at the moment is a super competitive space. And the CVs that are well-written, easy to navigate, and highlight key information tend to go to the top of the list."

2. Tailor Your CV for Cyber Security Positions

When applying for cyber security jobs, having a generic CV isn’t enough. Instead, tailor your CV to highlight your relevant skills and experience. By doing so, you show that you have put effort into understanding the job and the company, which can set you apart from other candidates.

During the webinar, Jacob advised students to make their CV forward-looking. This means focusing on career goals instead of past experiences. This way, they can demonstrate their potential and how they plan to contribute to the company’s success.

3. Showcase Technical Skills

Aside from making sure that your CV is customised for each application, it’s also a good idea to highlight your technical knowledge and skills.

To do this, try including a table where you highlight your cyber security skills and their corresponding proficiency levels (e.g., Advanced, Intermediate, Expert). This can make it easier for recruiters to quickly assess your capabilities.

Jacob of e2 Cyber also suggests to students to quantify achievements on their CV. This means showing the impact of their work, such as cost savings or efficiency improvements. This could be something like “Reduced incident response time by 30% through the implementation of an automated alert system” or “Achieved a 20% reduction in security breaches through regular vulnerability assessments.”

4. Build Experience

To successfully start a cyber security career, you need to gain foundational IT skills first, such as:

• Understanding of operating systems and software applications

• Knowledge of computer hardware components

• Networking basics

• Basic cyber security practices

• Cloud computing

It’s important to learn foundational skills as many cyber security roles require them. These roles can then be your stepping stones to more advanced positions. Beyond that, knowing foundational IT concepts can help you recognise and mitigate cyber threats, in both personal and professional settings.

Earning certifications (like the ones Lumify Learn offers) is an excellent way to build these foundational skills. According to Jacob, having certifications like the ones from CompTIA can be enough to start a conversation with potential employers. This is true even for those from non-IT backgrounds. He elaborated:

“The first thing I would do is obtain some base-level certifications to demonstrate my enthusiasm and interest in the industry, as well as to solidify my skill set.”

What’s more, it’s a good idea to build connections with recruiters. This way, you increase your chances of securing interviews and gaining insights into job openings that may not be publicly advertised.

5. Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Finally, treat your CV like a living document. Update it regularly with new skills and experiences, and ensure it reflects your latest achievements and career goals. Not only does this ensure that all your information is current and accurate, but it also helps you track your professional development.

Bring Your Cyber Security Career to New Heights with Lumify Learn!

Want to gain access to student-exclusive webinars like this and connect with expert industry and recruitment partners like e2 Cyber? You can do so while taking that first step in your certification journey. Sign up for a Lumify Learn course today! We offer the following cyber security programs:

• Certified Cyber Security Professional: Learn essential cyber security skills, such as how to troubleshoot, configure, and manage both wired and wireless networks. You will also learn best practices in preventing and managing cyber threats.

• Cyber Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance Certified Professional: This interactive course shows how you can excel in IT risk management and auditing.

• ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology Elective Focus Basic Cyber Security Awareness: This foundational course helps you understand common IT skills and concepts. It focuses on protecting computer networks, data, and operating systems from cyber threats.

• ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security): Learn to design systems that prepare for and manage cyber threats. The course aims to help aspiring cyber security engineers improve their workplace security awareness.

• CompTIA PenTest+ Certified Professional: This self-paced bootcamp course will provide you with practical experience in penetration testing. It will also help you complete the CompTIA PenTest+ certification.

Once you complete any of these courses, you can participate in our Lumify Edge program. Lumify Edge will help you develop a resume, update your LinkedIn profile, and connect with potential employers. You’ll also get access to various webinars and career support services from our partners and discover cyber security roles advertised on our job boards.

Now’s your chance to start a fulfilling cyber security career. Enquire on a course today.