Elizabeth Aidi Kamau was born and grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. Today she lives in Perth where she is in the second year of study for a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at Edith Cowan University. ELIZABETH AIDI KAMAU Bachelor of Cybersecurity Student, Edith Cowan University
Suppose you met an old friend from your last year at school who, knowing nothing about cybersecurity or what you do, asks you what you are doing. How do you answer them to ‘sell’ them on the idea of a career in cybersecurity?
So far, I think only my high school principal has been
I am studying cybersecurity whose role I believe is to systems and devices. I am an ‘online police officer’
Who, or what, would you say has had the biggest influence on your cybersecurity career journey to date, and why?
who finds and catches bad guys on the internet in a
One of my early mentors who I met while in my
fun and exciting way. It’s like being Batman in Gotham
second year of high school.
protect individuals’ and organisations’ data, networks,
against my decision, because it is not a common career choice back home. My parents have been my biggest supporters all along, and my mentors have been very encouraging and supportive as well.
city where the city is the internet in which we find and catch the bad guys to protect the city.
How does the reality of cybersecurity as you experience it today fit with your understanding when you first thought about studying it?
What do you see has having been the most memorable and/or significant event in your cybersecurity journey to date, and why? Working with Dr Michelle Ellis [Outreach and engagement co-ordinator in the School of Science at
I thought it would be more technical and difficult to
ECU] on various workshops, and having an amazing
study. My experience now is that it requires much
interaction with some high school students. Also
greater attention to detail than simply being good at
taking part in competitions such as the incident
maths. You need to keep up with the latest technology
response competitions hosted by Woodside and
as well as learn advanced persistent threat patterns.
Retrospect Labs was quite memorable.
What cybersecurity role would most like to be hired into when you graduate, and why?
What aspect of your studies excites you the most?
I would love to join a blue team as either a security
What excites me most is when I think I know
analyst or security system administrator. I also find
something only to discover I do not. There are so
being a security consultant interesting. However,
many changes in this dynamic industry. There is
that is something I would have to work towards. This
always something new to learn.
is mainly because I love working one-on-one with
understand and enjoy working with the tools we use
Is there any aspect of your studies you find particularly difficult or challenging, if so what, and why?
to analyse data and I have been having an exciting
My initial challenge, which I am sure many
time learning to use them.
international students experience, was a change of
people and working in teams rather than the normal stereotype of a tech guru working individually. I
environment and trying to quickly adapt to a different
What was the reaction from parents, peers or career advisors to your decision to get into cyber? Did you face any opposition, if so, how did you feel about this?
system. I was previously accustomed to sitting exams and finals at the end of the semester, which has not been the case here. However, my university has been extremely understanding and supportive throughout my whole learning experience.
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M A R C H • A P R I L 2023