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MICHELLE WELCH

Michelle Welch grew up in Cologne, Germany and now lives in Perth where she is in the second year of study for a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security at Edith Cowan University.

Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security 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?

There is more to security these days than simply locking your front door and keeping your wallet and phone safe. In today’s digital world cyber threats are not only real but also evolving rapidly. That’s where my role as a cybersecurity professional comes in. Cybersecurity professionals make the world a safer place by defending against these threats and protecting individuals’ life and work.

What excites me the most is that every day brings new challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is incredibly high, which means job prospects and room for career growth are a given. And knowing my work has a significant impact on individuals is truly rewarding.

One of the great things about a career in cybersecurity is the diverse range of paths you can pursue. Examples are engineering, administration, analysis, forensics, consulting and much, much more.

In this field continuous learning is essential because the continually evolving nature of cybersecurity means there are always new technologies, threats and defence strategies to keep up to date with. I embrace these learning opportunities because they not only keep me on top of my game but also allow me to continually expand my knowledge and skills.

What makes my work even more meaningful is the breadth of responsibilities I have in safeguarding a wide range of critical assets. These include protecting infrastructure, data, information, systems, credentials and much more.

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

I am aspiring to become an analyst after my graduation, because the analyst role provides a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in cybersecurity.

Analysts typically work with a wide range of security technologies, tools and methodologies. This exposure will help me gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices in the field. Moreover, the hands on experience and involvement I will gain in monitoring systems, analysing security events, investigating incidents and implementing security measures is very tempting.

Furthermore, analysts are at the front line of defence, constantly monitoring and analysing security events, detections and incidents. They gain exposure to a wide range of threats, attack vectors and vulnerabilities. Lastly, analysts have many opportunities.

In addition to your studies, what employment experience do you have in cybersecurity?

I made a drastic career change from nursing to cybersecurity and have not yet gained a lot of experience. In mid-February this year I had the opportunity to start an internship at CrowdStrike. This was an exceptionally valuable experience for me.

During my time as an intern I was fortunate to be a part of the frontline team, working alongside the associate analysts and analysts of the Australian team. I was exposed to real-world cybersecurity challenges. This allows me to put my studies into practice. This hands-on experience was nothing short of amazing. I had the opportunity to apply my knowledge in a professional setting and gain valuable insights into the day to day operations of a cybersecurity team.

While my employment experience is still relatively limited, my time at CrowdStrike provided a great foundation for my future career and I am eager to continue my experience.

What aspect of your studies excites you the most?

Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field with new threats, vulnerabilities and techniques emerging frequently. Studying cybersecurity allows me to stay at the forefront of these developments and be part of the ongoing battle against cyber threats, which makes it most exciting. Because our studies often involve hands on practical exercises and real world case studies they allow me to directly apply my knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios.

Is there any aspect of cybersecurity that you think should be given greater focus in your course, or any aspect you think should be given less focus?

I believe the “human side” of cybersecurity should be given greater focus in my university course: human behaviour, psychology and the social dynamics surrounding security practices.

For example, social engineering attacks such as phishing rely on manipulating human behaviour rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities. While university courses can cover different types of social engineering attacks, their techniques and mitigation strategies, understanding how human psychology is exploited can help future cybersecurity professionals recognise and respond to these attacks more effectively.

The more we learn about the technical side of cybersecurity, the more we tend to forget that humans are sitting behind their devices. We must remember we are in the profession to protect these individuals, their lives and their work.

Do you see the need for, or plan to undertake, additional training in non-cyber skills to better equip you for a future role, eg interpersonal communications or management?

In the cybersecurity world it is important to recognise that technical skills alone may not be sufficient for a successful career. Non-cyber skills such as teamwork and interpersonal communication are crucial in cybersecurity, or any professional setting.

All cybersecurity professionals work in teams within their own company, across multiple teams within the same organisation and even with external stakeholders. Because cyber threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated, it is important to address these challenges with collaborative efforts that draw upon the expertise and perspectives of individuals with different skill sets and backgrounds.

Furthermore, cybersecurity threats often involve multiple systems, networks and applications. By working as a team, professionals can monitor and analyse various aspects of an organisation’s digital environment simultaneously. This collaborative approach enhances situational awareness, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of potential risks and enabling proactive defence measures.

Lastly, teamwork fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth within cybersecurity. Collaborating with others allows professionals to learn from different experiences, share capabilities and stay up to date with evolving technologies and techniques. Teamwork goes hand in hand with interpersonal communication, which I believe is another skill crucial to equipping me for a future role. Working in a large team includes working with a large variety of colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds as well as with individuals with varying levels of technical knowledge.

MICHELLE WELCH

Strong interpersonal communication skills will assist me in my professional career to effectively collaborate with others. They will help me avoid misunderstandings and enhance my ability to work in a team. Moreover, I may encounter conflicts or disagreements. Strong communication skills will help me to resolve conflicts, find common ground and reach mutually beneficial outcomes.

What is your favourite source of general information about cybersecurity?

In general I keep up to date through LinkedIn, my peers and, of course, my employer. Since working for CrowdStrike I have come to appreciate its blogs and threat reports which keep me up to date with current threats, vulnerabilities and ways to keep environments safe.

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

My career trajectory might be slightly different to those of my peers and fellow students. With a background in nursing, I made the decision to change careers a couple of years ago. While my transition into cybersecurity may seem unconventional, I firmly believe my nursing background made me better at what I do now.

In the cybersecurity world it is easy to get caught up in the technical aspects and overlook the human factor. However, I have found my background in nursing enables me to bring a unique perspective to the table. It has helped me gain empathy and a deep understanding of the importance of human interactions and communication.

Cybersecurity is not just about technology; it is about protecting individuals and organisations from the impact of cyber threats. Having worked closely with patients in nursing I am able to approach cybersecurity with a heightened awareness of the impact breaches and attacks can have on people’s lives. This empathy pushes me to ensure I am not only protecting data and systems but also the individuals who use them. In a field that can sometimes seem impersonal, my nursing background reminds me to consider the human aspect. www.linkedin.com/in/michellewelchcybersecurity

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