Prevent and fight crime for a living by getting into cyber security! Cape optional
What is Cyber Security?
Cyber security is all about protecting systems, networks and programs from cybercrime. Cybercrime includes everything from identity, online banking and shopping fraud, to hacking bank accounts and stealing money. It’s a huge problem, with 84,700 cybercrime reports made in Australia in 2025. That equals one report every six minutes! It’s also expensive, costing the Australian economy $30 billion a year. What does all this mean? We need more cyber security professionals to protect us online. Enter you!
Can you hack it?
Is a cyber security career right for you? Count up how many sentences apply to you:
#1 You’re an expert puzzle solver
#2 You’re always up for an epic challenge
#3 You want a job helping and protecting people
#4 You always know about the latest tech
#5 You’re curious about everything
#6 You’re super detail-orientated
Did you count four or more?
Congrats, you’ve found an awesome study and career path for yourself!
Study options
Whether you want a uni degree or would prefer to go down the VET path, there’s a place for you in cyber security. If you’re a hands-on learner and want to skill up quickly to get into the workforce ASAP, a diploma is a great place to start and can help you land entry-level positions. For a deeper understanding of cyber security and more career paths to choose from, do a degree.
In-demand cyber gigs
There are a range of roles going in cyber security. Which one sounds good to you?
- Cyber security analyst – Looks out for and responds to digital threats.
- Cyber security engineer – Designs, builds, maintains and oversees the security of complex systems and networks to protect them from cyber attacks.
- Forensic analyst – Investigates cybercrimes by examining evidence and uncovering facts.
- Incident manager – Directs a business’ response to cyber attacks by managing tech teams, directing communications, reporting and post-incident analysis.
- Network security engineer – Protects big systems and networks – think schools and hospitals.
- Penetration tester – Evaluates systems by simulating real-world cyber attacks.
Big employers
- Palo Alto Networks
- CISCO
- Fortinet
- IBM
- CyberCX
- Accenture
Where you could work
These industries all need cyber security professionals:
- Finance
- Retail
- Health
- Education
- Energy
- Government
- Defence
- Transport
Quiz yourself
Take our ‘What’s your cyber security career?’ quiz at CareerswithSTEM.com!
Did you know?
Cyber security is one of the fastest growing tech sectors in Australia. Employment is expected to grow by 14.2% by 2029.
Watch this
In this video, you’ll hear from an expert in the use of AI to enable clinical decision-making; a renowned researcher in threat intelligence, Blockchain and remote conditioning monitoring; and a cyber security and digital trust consultant: bit.ly/cws-cyber-webinar
What do cyber security professionals do?
On the job, they can be tasked with:
- Monitoring and protecting systems and networks from cyber attacks
- Developing solutions to protect individuals and businesses from harm
- Designing secure networks, firewalls and cloud environments
- Using ethical hacking and penetration testing skills to patch weaknesses (aka beating hackers at their own game!)
Start your career here
Technology + Cyber Security + Study
- Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security), TAFE NSW
- Bachelor of Cybersecurity, Torrens University
- Bachelor of Cybersecurity, UTS
- Bachelor of Science (Cyber Security), ECU
- Bachelor of Cyber Security, Deakin University
- Bachelor of Cyber Security, Macquarie University
Technology + Cyber Security + Jobs
- Cyber security analyst $61K–$129K
- Cyber security engineer $62K–$155K
- Penetration tester $59K–$156K
- Security architect $118K–$265K
*Salaries according to payscale.com
This article was first published in Careers with STEM: Technology.
