Careers & Conversations

Meet Dat Ho – Consultant, Perth

Dat’s story reflects his passion for technology, his drive to help others, and his adventurous spirit—whether he’s tackling cyber threats, mentoring clients, or leading gaming tournaments. He’s a team player who’s always up for a challenge.

Personal life

WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

Believe it or not, I originally wanted to be a quick-response police officer in Vietnam. I even trained in martial arts to prepare for it. But everything changed when I got my first PC—a Pentium (if you know, you know). That moment sparked a fascination with technology that completely changed my career path.

As a teenager, I was fascinated by the Anonymous hacker group. It was eye-opening to see how powerful cyber skills could be—both for good and for harm. That experience shaped my belief in using technology ethically and responsibly, which continues to guide me today.

WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING OTHERS PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM CYBERATTACKS?

Seeing the real-world impact of cyber attacks has been a huge motivator for me. During my time in the Security and Privacy team, I’ve witnessed how even small vulnerabilities can have massive consequences for both individuals and businesses.

I am driven by helping people build their confidence and protect themselves in the digital world. 

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK?

I’m a passionate gamer—especially when it comes to League of Legends. I captained my university team (Murdoch University) to victory (yes, we beat UWA!)

But I don’t just sit behind a screen. I love getting outdoors—whether it’s camping, hiking, kayaking, or simply exploring nature. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with contrast therapy—alternating between ice baths and hot baths. It’s intense but surprisingly rejuvenating!

HOW DOES GAMING RELATE TO YOUR WORK?

Gaming has taught me valuable skills like teamwork, quick decision-making, and strategic problem-solving. It’s also a great way to connect with colleagues, many of whom are gamers themselves.

I’ve even suggested organising gaming tournaments or esports events at RSM—it’s a fun way to build camaraderie and bring the team together.

ARE YOU THE GO-TO 'TECH GURU' FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?

Absolutely! I think anyone in IT knows that it comes with the territory. It’s a bit of a running joke, but I genuinely enjoy helping people solve their tech issues. 

WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU?

I’ve had military and martial arts training, so I can handle more than just a keyboard and mouse if the situation calls for it.

And here’s something quirky—I once dreamed up the solution to a coding problem I was stuck on.

Professional Life

WHAT DID YOU STUDY AT UNIVERSITY TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN IT?

I focused on cyber forensics and information security, mobile and web app development, and network technology. This gave me a solid foundation in understanding both the technical and strategic sides of IT.

I also gained hands-on experience through an IT support internship in Vietnam and earned certifications as an IT field technician for Dell and Lenovo in Australia. These experiences helped me develop practical skills and adaptability in real-world environments.

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY RECOGNITION FOR YOUR IT WORK?

Yes, I was part of a team that created a staff management system for a local high school. It was recognised as the best project and ended up saving the school a lot of money, which was incredibly rewarding.

BEYOND CYBERSECURITY, ARE THERE OTHER FIELDS YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT?

Definitely. I’m passionate about fighting scams and fraud. As new technologies emerge, so do new ways for scammers to exploit them, and it’s tough for people to keep up. I hope my skills can help protect others and make the digital world a little safer.

Life at RSM

HOW LONG WERE YOU PART OF NATIONAL IT BEFORE TRANSITIONING TO RISK ADVISORY?

I spent about two years as an Intermediate IT Service Desk Technician in National IT before moving into the Risk Advisory, Security and Privacy team here in Perth.

WHAT WAS THE TRANSITION LIKE?

Surprisingly smooth, thanks to the support I received from both teams. This new role pushed me out of my comfort zone, giving me opportunities to work directly with external clients, dive into business processes, and develop my technical writing and documentation skills.

WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE DURING THE TRANSITION?

The biggest challenge was adapting to an external-facing role. Every client has unique needs, so I had to be flexible and resourceful to meet their expectations.

I also worked on improving my technical writing and reporting skills. The transition taught me a lot about business operations and how to approach complex problems from multiple angles.