Deciding to return to study is no small feat, especially when you're already juggling a career, family and life's many commitments. You might wonder: Is this the right time? Am I capable? Will I fit in? These are all valid questions, and the good news is, you're not alone in asking them. 

If you’re exploring cyber security careers, you’ve probably come across the role of penetration tester. Also known as a ‘pen tester’ or an ‘ethical hacker’, a penetration tester identifies vulnerabilities in computer systems and network infrastructure, and finds solutions to patch those weaknesses.

Here we look at what a penetration tester does and how you can get into this rapidly growing field.

Australia's attack surface is growing – and so are the consequences of poor cyber governance.

In the past few years alone, breaches have hit healthcare providers, telcos and government agencies. When sensitive data is leaked, services stall or systems collapse – the scrutiny falls fast and hard. Someone needs to own the risk, and increasingly, that rests with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

Protect sensitive data and secure digital infrastructure against evolving threats. Learn to apply the latest security techniques and risk mitigation strategies to safeguard systems and drive organisational resilience.

Cyber security is a rapidly growing profession in a world that’s reeling from increased cyber attacks in the form of ransomware, phishing and hacking. However, it’s a profession that often lacks diversity.  

According to industry experts, women held 25 per cent of cyber security jobs globally in 2021, up from 20 per cent in 2019 and around 10 per cent in 2013.   

What started as a means of making people laugh turned into a coronavirus coping mechanism before becoming the most viral sensation of 2020. Made up of short video clips typically set to audio clips of music or movie scenes, TikTok has taken the attention-capturing short-form video format from Vine and claimed its top spot among social media apps.

The digital revolution has presented us with many opportunities, personally and professionally. But the unassuming ease with which we now live online comes with its downsides. Individuals, corporations and governments increasingly rely on large-scale cyber security to protect against a growing scope of cybercrimes. Unfortunately for many citizens across the globe, not all nations are equal in their ability to provide it.

Australia recently witnessed large-scale data breaches that affected some of the country’s most prominent corporations. In due time, it became evident that no business was impervious to cyber attacks, which is why it’s especially important for small business owners to protect against threats in cyber security.

Across Australia, we’re seeing a skyrocketing need for enhanced cyber security measures to be implemented in homes and businesses alike. This need has highlighted the shortage of skilled cyber security professionals to meet the necessary service requirements, creating a lucrative pathway for the industry.

If you have aspirations to become a cyber security professional, you’ll be glad to hear that there’s never been a better or more crucial time to take that first step.