Thinking about a career change? You’d be surprised how many skills can transfer to a role in cyber. Photo: Horizon One.
“We aren’t just techies. Our industry is filled with all kinds of fascinating people.”
If you ask Angella* what it’s like to work in cyber, this is the first thing she will tell you. And it’s true; long gone are the days when a role in cyber meant trawling through lines of code.
Technical and security jobs are still around, of course. With cybercrime on the rise, security experts are in high demand.
But cyber careers in 2025 can also focus on policy development, communications, education and training, people management, or even cyber law.
The industry is only becoming more diverse, which means you could already have the skills and experience needed to thrive there.
A high school humanities teacher not all that long ago, Angella’s transition from the classroom to a cybersecurity lab was less jarring than one might think.
“I taught English and history for 12 years before deciding it was time for a career change,” Angella says.
“I ended up working on cybersecurity policy, stationed right in the thick of things. The lab immediately fascinated me, so my role got more technical over time.”
These days, Angella specialises in quality control and compliance audits. In short, she helps keep Australian supply chains safe from cyberattacks.
Angella underwent training in the lab on-site and externally to get to where she is today. But many of the skills that won her the job came from work as a teacher.
“Working as an educator taught me how to communicate with almost anyone,” she says.
“Teachers are also quite good at learning, funnily enough. I was able to use a detail-oriented, systematic approach to pick up new skills quickly.
“You need a willingness to adapt and learn for the rest of your career because technology and information in our industry evolve rapidly.”
Other roles that translate well to cyber include nursing, law, defence, software engineering, project management, even human resources.
Angella (left) went from secondary school teacher to general manager at Viden Labs in just a few years. Photo: Canberra Cyber Hub.
Piqued your interest? The next step is to explore opportunities that suit your skills and identify knowledge gaps that need filling.
With plenty of free, reliable information and a range of programs on offer, Canberra Cyber Hub can help narrow the search.
Partnerships manager Melissa Larkins describes the organisation as a critical resource for local industry.
“We connect cyber businesses, government, researchers, training providers and skilled professionals across the capital,” she says.
“There are loads of pathways into cyber, but the best places to start looking locally are our online course finder, jobs board and business directory.”
Qualifications vary from role to role. Bridging the knowledge gap can mean completing a short course, online certification, trainee/internship, CIT or TAFE, or university degree.
“Genuine interest and a willingness to learn are highly prized by cyber employers,” Melissa says.
“Technical skills can be taught, but you can’t teach passion. An authentic commitment to protect and contribute to strong, safe systems can take you further than you might expect.”
Canberra’s cybersecurity ecosystem benefits from being close to private and public sectors, all levels of government, and a range of national institutions.
For Angella, being part of a tight-knit, enthusiastic community made the transition most worthwhile. She also takes pride in doing her part for national security and cyber safety.
“I get to work with some of the smartest, most dedicated people I’ve ever met,” she says.
“Cyber is one of the broadest industries out there. If you have a varied skillset and are keen to add to it, there’s very likely a role that will suit you.”
Visit Canberra Cyber Hub for more information on local opportunities in cyber.
* Surname withheld on request.
