Demystifying Cyber Security Podcast Goes Live.
A look into cyber security careers, exploring the different routes into the industry, the importance of representation, and why cyber is about much more than technical skills alone.
We are releasing this episode to mark International Women in Cyber Day, a timely opportunity to highlight the people, experiences and perspectives helping shape the future of cyber security.
Through Helen and Channelle’s experiences, the episode explores how cyber security is broader than many people realise, and why creating more routes into the sector is important for the future of the industry.
Together, they discuss how they each moved into cyber, what surprised them about the industry, and why there is no single “correct” route into a cyber security career.
Cyber Security is More Than an IT Issue
Cyber security is often seen as a highly technical field. For many people, the word “cyber” brings to mind coding, hackers, dark rooms, and complex systems. But the reality is much broader.
One of the key themes of the episode is the misconception that cyber security is only an IT issue.
As Helen and Chanelle explain, cyber security touches every part of an organisation. It is about people, process, governance, resilience, risk, communication, and decision-making, as well as technology.
That means there is a wide range of roles within the industry, including technical consultancy, risk and governance, business development, operations, training, resourcing, and customer engagement.
For those considering a move into cyber, the message is clear: you do not need to fit one narrow stereotype to belong in the industry.
Different Routes Into Cyber
The episode also explores the different paths people can take into cyber security.
Helen and Chanelle both came into cyber from non-technical backgrounds, bringing experience in operations, people management, training, business development, and organisational support.
Their experiences highlight the value of transferable skills. Collaboration, planning, adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and commercial awareness all play an important role in helping organisations improve their cyber posture.
The conversation also touches on apprenticeships, graduate pathways, CyberFirst, and the importance of giving people early exposure to the different areas of cyber so they can understand where their interests and strengths might fit.
Women Shaping Cyber
A major focus of the episode is representation.
Cyber security remains a male-dominated industry, but initiatives such as Women in Cyber and CyberFirst are helping raise awareness, build communities, and encourage more women and girls to consider cyber as a career path.
Helen and Chanelle discuss the importance of visibility, confidence, and awareness, particularly for those who may not have considered cyber as an option when choosing subjects at school, college, or university.
They also highlight why diversity matters in cyber. Different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives help organisations solve problems in different ways and support better outcomes for customers.
Watch the Full Episode
Episode 12 of The Briefing Room explores cyber careers, Women in Cyber, transferable skills, representation, and the future of the industry.
Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/rdQztqtkJyo
Or listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gfkudcr3dZ1txBS9hjJd6?si=IgALnhF0QqavPTVMwsx64w
If you are interested in cyber security, or want to understand more about the different roles and people shaping the industry, this episode offers a clear and accessible place to start.