Ready to be a digital guardian? Read about the must-have skills for cyber careers

Students from across the country are competing in the final of the Cyber Battle Australia 2024 competition, proudly supported by the Future Skills Organisation.  

What skills will the competitors need to succeed as cyber security professionals? We asked some of the event’s other sponsors. 

Cyber security professionals of the future will be our digital guardians, armed with a mix of skills, and an unwavering commitment to keeping our online world safe, according to Kätlin Koemets, CEO of CTF Tech, an Estonian company which organises competitions like Cyber Battle Australia in more than 10 countries worldwide. 

“Regardless of where we hold a competition, the story is the same,” she says. “The digital battlefield is constantly evolving, and the professionals of the future will need a unique blend of skills to keep us safe.” 

ECLECTIC SKILLS MIX 

Cyber Battle Australia sponsor Edward Farrell, CEO at Mercury agrees: “Cyber is at the intersection of digital, physical and social environments. This often creates so much complexity and ambiguity that it is not just a single discipline such as computer science that is needed. 

"It is an eclectic mix of skills. Cyber professionals need a keen analytical mind to anticipate and interpret emerging threats, staying one step ahead of hackers. 

“They also need to be able to troubleshoot and manage problems, deal with ambiguity and handle multiple priorities,” says Edward.  

A TEAM SPORT 

Fellow Cyber Battle Australia sponsor David Jam, Founder & CEO, Vertical Scope Group and WorkPath Australia, adds that the most important personal skills that cyber professionals need are critical thinking, curiosity, a continuous learning mindset and a collaborative style.  

“Ultimately cyber security is a team sport, so working cohesively as a unit is imperative,” says David. 

At the heart of the eclectic skills mix is the ability to utilise current and emerging tools and technologies effectively to improve efficiency and response.  

David says artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming the landscape in which technical skills are needed.  

“Tomorrow’s professionals will regularly use AI and ML to automate threat detection, making response times quicker and more precise, while enabling cyber professionals to focus on higher priority tasks,” he says. 

CTF Tech’s Kätlin says as our reliance on cloud services grows, expertise in cloud security will be indispensable.  

“Protecting data and applications in the cloud requires a deep understanding of cloud architectures and security practices,” says Kätlin. 

“Blockchain technology is another frontier. With its rise, knowing how to secure decentralised systems will be key. Similarly, adopting a Zero Trust Architecture – where every access request is verified – will become the norm, ensuring tighter security,” she adds. 

LIFELONG LEARNING IS VITAL 

Lastly, keeping up with regulatory compliance is essential. Cyber laws are always changing, and staying informed will help avoid legal issues and protect user privacy.  

However, David Jam points out that the constantly evolving threat landscape means cyber security professionals skills need to evolve in parallel, essentially staying a step ahead of malicious nation state and criminal threat actors.  

“As the bad guys develop new skills, tools and tricks daily, so does the need for the cyber security professional to stay abreast of current and emerging threats, technologies and trends. Lifelong learning is fundamental to being a true digital guardian in the future,” he says. 

KNOWING YOUR STRENGTHS 

Another Cyber Battle Australia sponsor is TAFEcyber, a consortium of the eleven Australian TAFEs that provide cyber security qualifications.  

TAFEcyber Chair Julia Burns said: “Challenges such as Cyber Battle Australia provide students with the opportunity to see just how important close teamwork, communication, agility and innovative thinking are required to be successful. 

“For professionals working in the industry this can only come from staying abreast of current and emerging technologies and trends and by adopting an attitude of constant learning.” 

Julia added: “Knowing your strengths and being able to identify and complement other people’s strengths is also an important skill to have.” 

Learn more about Cyber Battle Australia 2024, proudly supported by the Future Skills Organisation here.

Read more about TAFEcyber here.