Ty cracks the Cyber Security Code

Ty began his education journey with a Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120) but quickly realised his future was working in cyber security.

“The skills I learned studying the Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) meant I can design, debug and test web-based programs and network servers – as well as assess cyber risks and protections while protecting myself in our ever-growing online world,” Ty said.

Studying at TAFE Queensland’s Bracken Ridge campus, Ty was blown away by the support he received from his teachers, Mikel-John Filko and Oleg Vaynberg, who helped the class onboard and understood complex cybersecurity concepts.

“I can confidently say that I wouldn't have passed without both Mikel-john Filko and Oleg Vaynberg. They bought decades of experience to the course and helped us master the fundamentals. And if you didn’t understand something, they would happily sit down and further explain it until you got it.”

During his studies, TY also visited the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus to participate in a ‘red vs blue ‘attack simulation using the LEGO City.

“It was fascinating. I was attacking (red team) and had to access the city through the backdoor, using skills and commands such as Nmap and other methods to decrypt the hash, which gave me access to control things within the LEGO City to simulate making a building explode, make the train go around, make the Ferris wheel stop, it was awesome,” explained Ty. 

Then, when Baidam Solutions approached TAFE Queensland directly, asking for recommendations for talented first nations students they could bring on board, Ty jumped at the chance.

“Baidam Solutions was looking for First Nation Australians, and being a Yugambeh man, I jumped. I got a taste of what it's like to work with cybersecurity infrastructure - and it was a tremendous experience.”

“TAFE has powerful connections with local industry and helped me get inside a cyber security business to learn about its many different aspects,” he said.

“I appreciated the support from my teachers at TAFE Queensland for mentoring me, encouraging me, and giving me the confidence to pass this course.”

Now a graduate, Ty describes the range of skills he learnt during his cybersecurity course now versus graduating as night and day. 

“I've learned things like networking basics, which I didn't know about before studying. I also learnt how to implement network security infrastructure and detect breaches in network security, as well as essential soft skills such as stakeholder management.”

Also helping Ty to pass his assessments and ultimately graduate was TAFE Queensland’s Student Support Services which helped make his learning experience better.

“Jake Van Heekeren was the best student coach I could have been provided. He would help me without giving me an answer. He would make sure I worked out the answers myself, which built my confidence, skills and knowledge.”

Ty’s advice for anyone interested in studying cybersecurity is to understand that it’s hard. Still, if you have a passion for it, TAFE Queensland will help you get the skills you need to start a career in the industry.

“My TAFE Queensland teachers and student coach both like to see students pass, even if they just need that extra push. Come here to study hard, be eager to learn and get something valuable from it,” concluded Ty.