Choose your own route to a career in cybersecurity

For my own part, I initially took what might look like a direct route into an IT career. I studied information technology at school and went on to take a degree in computer science at university. However, after graduating in 2006 I struggled to find a job in IT, so I went into banking – which I had been working in during my studies.  A combination of relocating and starting a family meant that I had to put my career on hold for a while. It was only in 2016, ten years after graduating, that I came back to the idea of having a career in IT.

Play to your strengths

Computing had always been something I was good at; it came naturally to me and I enjoyed it. So, when the time was finally right for me, in 2016, I took my first job in IT security, working in identity and access management. My IT career had finally begun! Then, in August 2018, I moved into a cybersecurity role at Capgemini.

I’d been fascinated by cybersecurity since 2016, with the visibility of high-profile cyber attacks on major organisations and the launch of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). I was very interested in the nitty-gritty of how these attacks happened, and in the technical elements of malware and ransomware. I knew then that I wanted to play a part in helping to fight cybercrime. That’s what initially attracted me to the world of cybersecurity, and it’s still my passion.

Build your profile

Although I’ve been here for less than a year, it feels much longer because I’ve been exposed to so much already. I work as a compliance analyst on the site of a major client as part of our governance, risk and compliance team. I work alongside the cyber analysts who are monitoring the client’s network for malicious activity. My job is to ensure that what we are doing is compliant with regulations. Compliance can be a forgotten area in tackling cybercrime, so I try to raise its profile and promote the importance of being vigilant, documenting evidence and following processes and procedures to make sure everything is done properly.

Before I was appointed, there was no compliance analyst working on this team. That means I have the flexibility to mould the role, to make it my own – and I have the complete support of Capgemini to do that. People here have been 100% supportive, understanding and flexible. Because this was a new role, I had to be very proactive to get the information I needed and find out who to go to. Everyone has been so helpful and already I feel like I’ve built up my own support network. I’ve also been supported in developing my qualifications, and I’ll shortly be completing my CompTIA Security + certification.  Capgemini encourage and promote female participation in cyber security. I am an example of a woman, a mum of two building a career in the sector.

Find the right way in for you

The insight I would like to pass on to anyone interested in working in cybersecurity is that having a degree isn’t the only way to break into the sector. I do have a degree, but I came to my IT career after a long break and after having worked in a completely different industry. There are plenty of different routes in, such as work experience or apprenticeships. Having some experience in a working environment – even one unrelated to IT – gives you valuable insights and expertise that you can bring to a cybersecurity career. Apprenticeships are a great way to get exposure to the working environment from a young age, at the same time as gaining valuable qualifications. Colleges also offer lots of vocational qualifications that are relevant to IT careers.

Explore new opportunities

The future for cybersecurity looks very exciting, and the opportunities for working in the sector are only likely to increase. Consider how far technology has come in the past ten years, and how people and organisations across various industries have a growing reliance for technology and it is mind blowing to think what might happen in the future. Such rapid advancements in technology are going to make life in cybersecurity more interesting and challenging than ever. It’s an area of IT in which there will always be demand for new skills in different areas – some of which we can’t even imagine yet.

Love your career

The thing I love most about my career at Capgemini is the diversity and variety of tasks I do on a daily basis. It’s very exciting and fast-paced and there’s never a dull moment. If I had to say what I was ‘ace’ at, it would be tenacity. I’m proactive and positive when I have a job to do. I’ll approach anyone and ask questions, and I won’t give up until the job is done.

To find out how your skills, qualifications and experience could lead to a career in cybersecurity at Capgemini, take a look at the opportunities available.

Author

---

Danu Sivapalan