What cyber security career you should choose, based on your netball position

Do what you love. Love of a sport is why you spend your Saturday mornings on the court  - and loving your career is the secret ingredient to loving your Monday – Friday, too. 

A good career also offers opportunity. I grew up in South Africa, and when my homeland turned into a place I no longer wanted to raise children in, it was my career in cyber security that offered me a way out. 

In some ways, working in cyber security is like playing centre; it’s a highly adaptable role that lets you go anywhere. For me, that meant receiving job offers in both London and Perth. Naturally, I opted for the city with the better weather. 

That doesn’t mean only people who wear a centre bib should consider a career in cyber security. You also don’t need to be some sort of super geek who spends all their spare time building computers or hacking into networks. 

For a bit of fun, I’ve pulled together a list of different in-demand roles in cyber security, according to what netball position I think has the best matching skillset. 

Centre = Cyber Strategy Consultant
This career is perfect for someone with a knack for taking in information and figuring out the most effective supporting structures. An outstanding Cyber Strategy Consultant I know started her career as a building architect. 

Like the centre position in netball, a Cyber Strategy Consultant is the focal point of an organisation's cyber security. This role involves a lot of teamwork and collaboration, working closely with IT teams to protect the company's digital assets. It's important to be quick on your feet and able to adapt to changing situations. Cyber Strategy Consultants often find themselves evaluating risk management policies, creating security frameworks, and leading teams to tackle new cyber threats.

Goal Shooter = Penetration tester

In the same way that a goal shooter seeks to score points by identifying the best shot, a penetration tester hunts for weaknesses in systems that can be exploited. They simulate cyber attacks on systems, networks, and applications, looking for weaknesses, a task familiar to anyone wearing a GS bib.  

Okay, yes you do need some IT skills for this role. You might be called on to test a company's e-commerce platform for SQL injection vulnerabilities or assess the security of cloud storage services.

Goal Keeper  = Cyber security governance

Good cybersecurity doesn’t just come from the tools that we implement, because  trust me, some of those tools are pretty expensive. Organisations like the ones I audit and advise need to have tailored cybersecurity solutions based on their business needs and what they need to protect. We tailor these cybersecurity solutions by using governance. That calls for someone with a natural flare for business who maybe also likes to dabble with the technical tools, they may be the perfect person to conduct impact analysis and develop the policies and frameworks that define  cybersecurity solutions. Goal defence requires maintaining the defensive structure, much like cyber security governance involves establishing and upholding security policies and frameworks. Their work might involve creating a data protection policy that complies with GDPR or developing a business continuity plan.

Goal Attack = Forensic Analyst

A good goal attack does a lot more than scoring points by shooting a goal. They are actively involved across the court, helping to set up scoring opportunities for their teammates. At a competitive level, a GA is a strategist who will look at how the opposing team plays and use that knowledge to create opportunities to score. 
This can be likened to the way forensic analysts investigate data breaches to help prevent future ones. They do this by analysing malware to uncover the tactics used by cybercriminals and develop countermeasures to protect the organisation from potential threats.

Goal Defence = Threat Intelligence Analyst

Threat intelligence analysts and goal defense players are both involved in proactive identification and interception. In netball, the goal defense works to impede the opposing team's attacking players and intercept the ball. In business, threat intelligence analysts aim to identify and intercept cyber threats before they cause harm. Both roles require strategic thinking, quick decision-making, and a strong understanding of the opponent's tactics.

Someone who loves social media, research and is generally inquisitive, would be well suited to this career. This position involves monitoring existing and potential cyber security threats, analysing trends in phishing campaigns or tracking the digital footprints and activities of notorious hacker groups.

Wing attack =  Incident Responder

We have all seen the aftermath of cyber attacks on large telecommunications and insurance companies, which are responsible for safeguarding their client data. The reality is that this happens to more organisations than you might think. There is a real need for individuals who work well under pressure and are comfortable providing support during an attack.

When a security breach occurs, the Incident Responder, like the Wing Attack, swiftly moves into action. They follow a well-defined response plan, which includes containing the breach, eradicating the threat, and recovering affected systems. They also coordinate with other teams to minimise the impact and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

Wing Defence = Media liaison officer

There are also important roles for non-technical experts to help in the aftermath of a cyber security incident. In the event of a cyber security incident, the Media Liaison Officer, similar to a wing defence player intercepting passes, communicates with the public and stakeholders.

Keeping your clients and customers informed of any attacks on your organisation is imperative to maintaining trust through transparency. Wouldn’t you appreciate an email from your bank when they are attacked letting you know what’s going on and how you can protect yourself further? 

Netball Coach = Cyber training and awareness

More often than not, the root cause of a cyber incident involves someone clicking on something that they should not have.

People using technology need to be educated on the many different types of cyber threats. This is an ongoing cycle as technology is constantly evolving. A career in cyber training and awareness will always be required and is perfect for those who like to help and teach others. 

Like a netball coach who educates and trains players on different techniques and strategies to excel in the game, those in cybersecurity training and awareness have the important task of educating and preparing people to navigate the evolving landscape of technology and cyber threats. Both roles involve imparting knowledge, skill development, and ongoing support to help others succeed in their respective domains. Common tasks for cybersecurity training and awareness experts include developing and running programs that might involve interactive phishing simulations or workshops on secure password management.

Umpire = Data privacy lawyer

In today's society, data has become an invaluable currency. Protecting the privacy of personal information is more important than ever. Governments, including our own here in Australia, are constantly working on new laws to protect data. There is a real need for legal experts to help implement these laws, protect personal information, and prosecute criminals and organisations when data is breached. 

Data privacy lawyers work to enforce regulations and protect personal information, somewhat like umpires ensuring that players follow the rules of the game and make fair decisions. Both are tasked with maintaining fairness and upholding standards in their respective realms. A data privacy lawyer will handle cases involving data breaches, compliance with privacy regulations, and advising on data processing agreements. Their expertise is essential in navigating the complex landscape of data privacy.

Just like a netball team works together to win a game, cyber security professionals collaborate to protect our information and infrastructure. A career in cyber security offers long-term prospects and will be in high demand due to the advancements in artificial intelligence. There is a global shortage of cyber security experts, and with a wide range of roles involved, it's definitely a career path worth exploring.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to learn more about the topics discussed in this article, please contact your local RSM office.