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

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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

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. 

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.

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.”

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. 

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

“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.