Menu
  • All Courses
    • Accounting
    • Administration
    • Animal Care
    • Arts
    • AWS
    • Azure
    • Beauty
    • Bookkeeping
    • Building & Construction
    • Business
    • Business Administration
    • Change Management
    • Child Care
    • Cloud Computing
    • Coding
    • CompTIA
    • Counselling
    • Culinary Arts
    • Cyber Security
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Dental Assisting
    • Design
    • Digital Marketing
    • Digital Media
    • Education
    • Event Management
    • Excel
    • Eyelash Extension
    • Fashion Design
    • Graphic Design
    • Health
    • Hospitality
    • Hospitality & Tourism
    • Human Resources
    • Interior Design
    • IT
    • Leadership
    • Legal
    • Life Coaching
    • Logistics
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • MYOB
    • Networking
    • Nursing
    • Nutrition
    • Outdoor and Adventure Education
    • Payroll
    • Photography
    • PMBOK
    • PRINCE2®
    • Programming
    • Project Management
    • Psychology
    • Sales
    • Six Sigma
    • Small Business
    • Software Development
    • Sports & Fitness
    • Systems Administration
    • Technical Support
    • Travel
    • UX/UI
    • Veterinary
    • Web Design
    • Web Development
    • Work Health & Safety
    • Xero
  • Search Courses
  • Fees Free Courses
  • Workforce Training
  • Targeted Training Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF)
  • Education Providers
  • Advertise with Us
  • Affiliates
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  1. Home
  2. Industry Insider
  3. Breaking Down Barriers in Cybersecurity: Why Diverse Perspectives Like Yours Can Be an Advantage
Career AdviceIndustry InsiderStudy TipsResources
Published 30 Apr 2021

Breaking Down Barriers in Cybersecurity: Why Diverse Perspectives Like Yours Can Be an Advantage

by Hania Syed

Think you don’t fit the mould for cybersecurity? Barriers to entry are lower than you think — and the industry desperately needs diverse perspectives like yours.

Cybersecurity is a field shrouded in mystery. From Hollywood depictions of hooded figures to secretive government operations, it’s not always clear what cybersecurity really entails. The truth is, this depiction of cybersecurity is lightyears away from reality.

If you’re considering it as a potential career path but you’re not sure if you’re the ‘right kind of person’, you might actually be the perfect fit. Don’t let stereotypes discourage you. Whether you’re a seasoned coder or an interested newbie, this field needs the fresh perspectives and experiences that people from different backgrounds can bring.

So what’s the reality of working in cybersecurity? We chat with a cybersecurity professional who made the move from the world of performing arts to digital forensics.

What cybersecurity looks like in New Zealand

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field. Much of this recent growth can be attributed to cyber threats posed by COVID-19 and the shift towards remote working. In line with these trends, job growth is also predicted to be very strong, with cybersecurity specialists earning a salary of between $92K-$137K per year.

The types of jobs within cybersecurity differ significantly. An ethical hacker, for example, tries to infiltrate security systems to expose vulnerabilities. In contrast, a security software developer integrates security into software to minimise the chance of attack in the first place. As cybersecurity threats evolve, so do the needs of governments, organisations and companies. 

Meet Josh

We chatted with Josh Lemon, a Digital Forensics and Incident Response Specialist, to get an insight into his career journey. Josh is a certified instructor at the SANS Institute, where he teaches advanced forensics and advanced networks forensics classes. When he’s not teaching or working for SANS, he works as the managing director at Ankura, an IT consultancy, looking after digital forensics and incident response practice for the Asia Pacific region. 

“I work on digital forensics and incident response as part of my normal day job, and I also get the advantage of educating people on the techniques I use.”

Dismantling the hooded hacker archetype

If you’ve ever thought, “you’re not the kind of person” who could work in cybersecurity, you’ll be pleased to know you’re very wrong! Contrary to stereotypes, this field thrives on diversity and change. 

“It’s not supposed to be a male-dominated industry. Our industry needs people from diverse backgrounds doing investigation work because you’re able to tell stories in different ways as well as understand language and cultural context.”

Josh has personally worked with a digital forensics expert who originally trained as a chef and another who worked as a mechanic.

An unexpected start

Because cybersecurity is an up-and-coming field, it’s still possible to enter the industry on your terms. From being self-taught to a 180-degree career changer, there are opportunities for people of all backgrounds. For example, Josh’s experience was in the performing arts industry.

“After quite a while of working in the entertainment industry, I realised I didn’t like living out of a suitcase and travelling for ten months of the year. I started looking at the other passion I had: computers and IT.”

Following this realisation, Josh moved into an information technology role where he ran large networks and infrastructure. But Josh was more detail-oriented, while this role was big-picture focused. He wanted something that better matched his strengths.

“I always had a keen interest in investigating things, understanding how things work, and detective type work. But I never realised you could do that type of work inside information technology.”

That’s when Josh came across a class on incident response and investigation. Realising you could blend the worlds of investigation and IT (and even do this as a full-time job!), his trajectory changed. 

Skills over degrees

Higher education is often a great idea, but according to Josh, “degrees aren’t a hard requirement – you just need a passion for computers.” 

“You can slowly build your knowledge in the industry, practice out in the field, then go and take intensive classes in a specific area and take that back into the field.”

For Josh, short courses in digital forensics and incident response helped him get his foot in the door.


Vocational qualifications and short courses are popular pathways


  • 16.2% of cybersecurity professionals today have a diploma
  • 9.5% have a certificate
  • 13.8% only have their year 12 certificate

Combined, this figure is on par with the percentage of professionals with a bachelor’s degree (38%), revealing that a university education isn’t the only way to get started.

The curious world of digital forensics

Digital forensics is a niche field within cybersecurity, demonstrating just how nuanced the industry is. Josh is tasked with catching criminals that have broken into computer systems, networks or organisations. 

“What we do is look at the evidence on the network or the computer system to determine what that criminal group or organisation was doing once they broke in. This includes how long they were there for, how they broke in, and potentially anything they may have stolen.”

The day-to-day

So, now we know cybersecurity professionals don’t just sit in shadowy rooms, cloaked in a hoodie. But then what do they actually do, day-to-day?

Josh tells us it’s all about storytelling. “A lot of the time, you’re trying to piece together a story that you don’t have a full picture of. You spend a lot of time looking at digital artefacts as well as talking to organisations and individuals who have been impacted.” 

With cybersecurity threats constantly evolving and software systems always updating themselves, learning and upskilling are also key priorities for people like Josh.

“You’re in this continuous learning mode to understand where to find artefacts and how to interpret them.”

There’s also plenty of learning to be done on the job, as every incident is unique. “Even if the type of case you’re looking at is the same, i.e. a ransomware attack, the challenges will be different.”

“There are different challenges with trying to help the organisation recover, and with the technology they have or don’t have, so you’re always in the mode of trying to problem-solve.”

Finally, Josh encourages new-starters to be aware of the omnipresent nature of cybersecurity threats. “You could get a call for help at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, criminals don’t wait for business hours!” 

Luckily, digital forensics is something where you’ll often work as a team, meaning there will be plenty of people to share this responsibility with. 

Taking the next step

Moving into your dream cybersecurity career is more achievable than you think. 

“Don’t be too concerned about your background, age or what your current knowledge is in the area. If you have a strong interest in cybersecurity, IT or investigation, you should do everything you can to get into the field.”

“Think about what areas of cybersecurity interest you, whether that’s defensive penetration testing, investigation work, or defence work. Then try to figure out what type of courses you could take or what skills you should develop to get into it!”

Cybersecurity not only suits people of all backgrounds, but it needs diverse skill sets, viewpoints and personalities to overcome increasingly complex threats.  

See the Best Cybersecurity Courses
Hania Syed

Hania Syed is a Melbourne-based Freelance Writer with a passion for marketing and storytelling. When she’s not writing, she can be found exploring the city’s cafes or libraries.

Want to read more?

Here's some more articles similar to this one.

Career Advice

The 11 Highest Paying Jobs in New Zealand [2022 Edition]

When it comes to earning the big bucks, some jobs far outstrip others.  The average income in New Zealand sits at a modest $52,382. Meanwhile, a handful of in-demand, highly skilled roles…

by Adele Cochrane 11 Feb 2021
Industry Insider

Why New Zealand Is the Best Place to Work As a Professional Photographer

Along with the incredible natural beauty opportunities, New Zealand is a destination for a number of portraiture and event photography. With location weddings becoming ever more popular, along with portraits of families…

by Adelaide Morse 15 Dec 2018
Career Advice

How to Become an Office Administrator in NZ: Salary, Job Description, and What to Expect

Office administrators are essential members of any well-run business. With flexible work opportunities and no formal entry requirements, office administration is perfect for anyone looking for a stable career path.  An office…

by Sabrina Sutton 25 Jun 2021

Latest Articles

Career Advice

The 10 Best Working From Home Jobs That Will Earn You a Living (2022)

Working from home jobs are rapidly becoming the norm all over the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has left a distinct mark on workplaces, with people realising productivity can happen outside of the…

by Penny Cannata 17 Jan 2022
Career Advice

8 Best Career Paths for People with Depression and Anxiety

Work is stressful. But when you’re living with depression, anxiety, or other mental illness impacting your mental health, your job can leave you feeling beyond defeated. Running around, meeting deadlines, sending emails…

by Alyssa Forato 12 Jan 2022
Career Advice

How to Become an Executive Assistant: Advice From an EA

Life as an executive assistant is fast-paced, exciting, varied and can bring in some pretty competitive coin. And with no linear career pathway to this role, opportunities to start a job as…

by Laura Squair 15 Jul 2021

More from Blog

Career AdviceIndustry InsiderStudy TipsResources
  • Popular Subjects
  • Study Locations
  • Qualification Levels
  • Popular Blogs
  • Accounting
  • Administration
  • Beauty
  • Bookkeeping
  • Business
  • Counselling
  • Culinary Arts
  • Event Management
  • Health
  • Human Resources
  • Management
  • MYOB
  • Payroll
  • Prince2
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Small Business
  • Sports & Fitness
  • Web Development
  • Xero
  • View More
  • Auckland
  • Christchurch
  • Manukau
  • Nelson Bays
  • New Lynn
  • Tauranga
  • Wellington
  • Whangarei
  • View More
  • Certificate
  • Certificate IV
  • Certificate | Short Courses
  • Diploma
  • Graduate Diploma
  • Bachelor
  • Postgraduate
  • Short Courses
  • View More
  • 8 Best Career Paths for People with Depression and Anxiety
  • The 10 Best Working From Home Jobs That Will Earn You a Living (2022)
  • The 11 Highest Paying Jobs in New Zealand [2022 Edition]
  • View More

Newsletter Sign Up

We'll email you updates on job trends, career advice, study tips, news and more.
Copyright © 2018 Training.co.nz About Contact Privacy Advertise Affiliates Terms Candlefox.com Training.com.au Tafecourses.com.au Coursesonline.co.uk

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Training.co.nz
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Additional Cookies

This website uses the following additional cookies:

(List the cookies that you are using on the website here.)

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!