Sheida Sabeti

SHEIDA SABETI

Sheida Sabeti was born in Perth and has lived there all her life. She is in the final year of a Bachelor of Science course at Edith Cowan University, majoring in cybersecurity.

Bachelor of Science Student at Edith Cowan University

Suppose you met an old friend from your last year at school who, knowing nothing about cybersecurity or what you do, asks you what you are doing. How do you answer them to ‘sell’ them on the idea of a career in cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is evolving and we are becoming more technologically advanced every day. As we continue to advance, new vulnerabilities and threats are emerging. There are many areas one can explore in cybersecurity: governance, penetration testing, programming, security consulting and many more. Cybersecurity gives people the freedom to explore different areas whilst still gaining experience in a field they love.

What cybersecurity role would most like to be hired into when you graduate, and why?

I enjoy a variety of fields, so whilst I do not have a specific role in mind, I would enjoy gaining experience in a vast range of fields including data analysis, security consultancy and governance.

Who, or what would you say has had the biggest influence on your cybersecurity career journey to date, and why?

My initial interest in computing grew out of an interest in gaming I have had since I was a child. However, I never considered cybersecurity as a career until my mother suggested it. She knew it was a good field to enter and a course I could undertake at university. So I chose computer science ATAR during my final two years of high school. I enjoyed the topics discussed because of the way my teacher taught the subject and made it very enjoyable. I also sought advice from him regarding which university would be best, as well as if it were a good course to take.

What aspect of your studies excites you the most?

The ability to learn a multitude of topics. However, my personal favourite topic is coding, in various languages.

Is there any aspect of your studies you find particularly difficult or challenging, if so what, and why?

I find the networking aspect particularly challenging because it is the most difficult for me to understand and not a topic on which I want to undertake further research.

What is your favourite source of general information about cybersecurity?

My favourite source of cybersecurity information would be the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). I find it to be the most reliable because it is an Australian Government body and anybody can understand the information it provides.

What measures do you have in place for your personal cybersecurity?

I follow various cyber safety practices. One is following password security rules. I ensure I use a minimum of 15 characters including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. I use multifactor authentication. I do not give out personal information unnecessarily and never click on unknown links I receive. I also perform daily antivirus scans on my desktop computer.

With the benefit of hindsight, would you change your career trajectory to date, and if so now?

Honestly, I would not. When I was younger I would deliberate on what courses I should study and whether I would like them, but I fell in love with computing and I would not change what I learnt, the people I met and the experiences I gained in any way. It has shaped me into the person I am today.

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