Cybercrime Prevention: A Red Hot Career for IT Students

Cybercrime attacks are not only devastating for businesses but also have profound impacts on the careers of those leading corporations.

For students studying IT, choosing a career in preventing cybercrime isn’t just a smart decision—it’s a promising opportunity with lots of challenges, rewards, and high demand ahead.

“Obviously, I’m angry that there are people out there that want to do this to our customers,” former Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said following an Optus breach that affected 9 million customers.

Ever thought about why big Aussie telcos, banks and companies like Canva need cybercrime experts?

They deal with sensitive data and are prime targets for cyber criminals looking to breach their systems.

It’s clear that having cybersecurity professionals onboard is vital for keeping these businesses safe from cyber threats, highlighting the crucial need for strong cyber defenses across various industries in Australia.

Quick links:

•         The Booming Business of Cybersecurity
•         Market Insights and Salary Trends
•         Preparing for the Future of Cybercrime Prevention
•         What to Study: The Path to Cyber Vigilance
•         Cybercrime in the Real World
•         Tips for Aspiring Cybercrime Fighters
•         Forging a Bright Future in Cybersecurity

The Booming Business of Cybersecurity

In today’s digital world, where technology is a big part of our lives, cybercrime has become a serious problem.

Each time there’s a major data breach, it shows how important it is to have experts who can protect our online information.

Cybersecurity is not just for IT people; it’s important at the highest levels of companies, in global policies, and for everyone every day.

The World Economic Forum says cyber-attacks are one of the biggest risks worldwide.

Businesses, big and small, are investing more in cybersecurity, hiring more people to defend against attacks.

This means there are many job openings in cybersecurity, providing not just steady jobs but also chances for career growth.

Market Insights and Salary Trends

The demand for cybersecurity professionals is very strong.

Experts say there will be many more cybersecurity jobs available compared to other IT jobs.

Even beginners in cybersecurity can expect high starting salaries, much better than other entry-level IT positions.

According to the Seek, the average pay for information security analysts ranges from $110,000 to $130,000, which is much higher than what most people make on average.

Preparing for the Future of Cybercrime Prevention

Getting into cybercrime prevention isn’t just about liking technology.

It means you need to know a lot about how networks work, analysing data, and understanding how cybercriminals think.

Cybercrime is always changing, so if you want to work in this field, you have to be ready to learn and adjust quickly.

What to Study: The Path to Cyber Vigilance

Studying at ICMS for a Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security) is a great step towards a career in cybercrime prevention.

This program teaches you all about keeping computer systems safe from hackers.

You’ll learn how to find weaknesses in networks, investigate cybercrimes, and manage risks to prevent attacks.

At ICMS, you get to practice these skills in real-life projects, getting ready to handle actual problems in cybercrime prevention.

Finishing the ICMS Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security) sets you up well for a career in protecting digital information and stopping cyber threats.

Combat Like a Professional: A Day in the Life of Cybercrime Prevention

What does a person in cybercrime prevention do every day?

It’s anything but typical.

They act as protectors of digital systems, constantly watching for anything strange that might signal an attack.

They plan how to react to threats, usually in intense situations where quick action and accuracy are crucial.

For example, there may have been a cyber attack on a bank where scammers sent fake emails to customers to steal their login details.

If the bank had strong security in place, like smart email filters and staff training, these tricks could have been spotted.

The scam would be caught early, customers would have been warned, and the loss of money or data leaks would have been prevented.

Quick cybercrime prevention action not only keeps the bank’s customers safe but also proves that good cybersecurity methods work well against online threats.

Cybercrime in the Real World

Imagine a tricky phishing scam hits a big company’s computer systems.

The cybercrime team gets to work fast, using their tech skills to track down where the scam email came from.

By teaming up with the police, they break up the criminal group and stop a major security breach.

This isn’t just some rare heroic moment; it’s what these professionals deal with every day.

Cybercrime Prevention Professionals would have been involved in the following cases:

•         Optus: In September 2022, the Optus data breach emerged as a significant cybersecurity incident, marking one of Australia’s largest breaches and prompting concerns about data security practices in the country.

The breach, attributed to cybercriminals linked to a state-sponsored group, infiltrated Optus’ internal network, compromising personal details of approximately 9.8 million customers, representing nearly 40% of the population.

This breach triggered public outcry and scrutiny regarding Australian cybersecurity protocols, leading to a class-action lawsuit by 1.2 million affected customers against Optus.

Read more about the Optus incident here.

•         Medibank: In December 2022, Medibank, a major Australian health insurance company, faced a significant cyber attack that exposed the personal information of 9.7 million customers.

The breach, linked to a well-known ransomware group from Russia, REvil, was discovered when the group posted a folder of sensitive data on a dark web blog and demanded a $10 million ransom.

Investigations by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner are ongoing, potentially leading to significant fines for Medibank and the possibility of a class-action lawsuit.

Read more about the Medibank incident here.

•         Canva: In May 2019, Australian online design platform Canva faced a significant data breach impacting a staggering 137 million users, a number far exceeding its 55 million active monthly user base.

Cybercriminals, named Ghosticplayers, breached Canva’s security measures before being halted by the company upon detecting suspicious activities within their systems.

Despite Canva’s intervention, the hacker managed to access sensitive user information, including usernames, real names, email addresses, country details, encrypted passwords, and partial payment data.

Read more about the Canva incident here.

Tomorrow’s Cyber Shadows: Anticipating Future Threats

In cybersecurity, things always change.

As technology gets better, cybercriminals get smarter.

People studying to prevent cybercrimes need to focus on protecting against current threats and also keep an eye on what might happen in the future.

Emerging Technologies and Techniques

Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and the ‘Internet of Things’ have both good and bad sides for cybersecurity.

They can help make our defenses stronger, but they also bring new problems that need creative solutions.

Students who learn about these technologies and how they affect cybersecurity can be leaders in preventing cybercrimes in the future.

Tips for Aspiring Cybercrime Fighters

The path to a cybersecurity career is full of opportunities for skills development and networking that can help students stand out in a competitive job market.

Networking, Internships, and Continuous Learning

Take advantage of chances to connect with experts in cybersecurity by attending industry events, joining online forums, or using social media.

Look for internships at companies that prioritise cybersecurity, like those available through the ICMS Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program for students pursuing their Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security).

During your internship, absorb knowledge from seasoned professionals.

Think about getting a Master’s degree, like the Master of Information Technology (Cyber Security) or taking extra courses to specialise more and stay current with industry trends.

Forging a Bright Future in Cybersecurity

With cybercrime becoming a bigger threat, the demand for experts to fight it is at an all-time high.

For IT students, choosing a career in cybercrime prevention isn’t just about job prospects; it’s about dedicating yourself to a vital, exciting cause.

By honing your skills and grabbing opportunities, you can join a community that works to protect our digital world’s future.

Preventing cybercrimes isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to protect the digital world as technology becomes increasingly important.

For those drawn to the mix of tech, investigation, and helping others, now is the time to step up.

The world needs experts, threats are real, and the call to make a difference is clear.

Will you rise to the challenge and have an impact in this crucial field?

The digital world awaits your response—it’s not a matter of if, but when you’ll answer the call.

To find out more about the ICMS Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security), click here.