Husband and wife duo achieve couple goals

Craig and Helmien Ebing's shared passion for computers has seen the pair cap off 2024 by completing 18 months of online study through TAFE Queensland under the State Government’s Fee Free TAFE funding.

Helmien—who along with Craig, has worked in information technology for over 20 years—said she and her husband were no strangers to working together, having worked within the same team at several companies. 

“We understand the pressures of the IT environment and always try to support each other, especially when things get tough, and our study sessions were no different,” she said.

“We pushed each other to think critically and challenge ideas, which enhanced our learning and made the whole process more enjoyable and effective.”

Craig said the couple’s decision to grow their skills in cyber security was fuelled by their desire to help protect others online against what has become a significant issue. 

“Cybersecurity has become a critical focus in today’s digital age, especially with all the challenges and concerns that frequently make the headlines,” Craig said. 

“We both recognised the need for more expertise and felt motivated to contribute. It was a shared decision for us, as we both saw the potential to make a real difference in protecting systems and data,” he said.

“There is a significant skills gap in the field, particularly in regional areas, where fewer professionals address these critical needs,” Helmien added.

That gap, according to Jobs Queensland, will see a 13% increase in employment opportunities for Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists over the next five years, with a 10.2% increase in the Wide Bay region alone.

“There's still a lack of awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. Many people aren't sufficiently educated on the risks or the need for robust security measures, which makes it even harder to address the growing demand effectively,” Craig said.

Craig and Helmien moved to Australia from South Africa in 2012, making Bundaberg their home in 2023 alongside their children and grandchildren. They’d been working as an application development manager and IT infrastructure manager respectively in Queensland Health’s IT department when they decided it was time to enhance their skills together, enrolling to study a Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) through TAFE Queensland Online.

“We both felt it was the right direction to move in, so we enrolled as a team,” Craig said.

“For me, it was about building a strong foundation of knowledge that would empower me to navigate better and address the field's ever-evolving challenges.

“When we discovered that TAFE Queensland offered an online option, it felt like the perfect opportunity for us. It allowed us to pursue our studies from home, with the flexibility we needed, while still receiving quality education,” he said.

“We saw it as a valuable chance to enhance our knowledge, especially in areas like IT infrastructure, which is key in protecting the organisation from potential cyber threats and vulnerabilities,” Helmien said.

“The flexibility of online learning allowed us to balance our studies with work and other commitments, making it much easier to succeed. Staying focused could be tough after a long day at work, but we were grateful that all the sessions were recorded. This allowed us to revisit the classes whenever needed, which helped us stay on track and fully absorb the material.”

In addition to juggling their busy work and personal schedules with study, Craig and Helmien said it was an adjustment returning to study later in life, but the pair are both glad they made the leap.

“It took some time to get back into the learning rhythm; however, despite the challenges, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The sense of accomplishment and the new skills we've gained made it all worthwhile,” Helmien said.

“Even though the classes were in a group format, we still received plenty of individual attention, significantly impacting our understanding. Our instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and always ready to help, staying online after each class to assist anyone who needed extra support,” she said.

“The experience was rewarding, and it pushed me to learn new things and adapt to a rapidly changing field,” Craig said.

“A standout for me was discovering how many free tools are available online that can be used against businesses or individuals. Realising how accessible some of these resources are was eye-opening, and it reinforced the importance of cybersecurity in protecting personal and professional data.”

“It was almost shocking how easily they can cause damage, but it was also fascinating to discover all the tools and strategies used to prevent those threats,” Helmien agreed.

Craig and Helmien celebrated their graduation in December and said the qualification has strengthened their expertise in their field while adding a valuable skillset to their toolkits. 

“Cybersecurity is an essential part of the industry today. While I’ve been in ICT for a long time, this course has broadened my skills and kept me updated with the latest developments, which has been invaluable in my career. It’s helped me make more informed decisions and better protect the systems I manage, and it’s opened up new possibilities. I’m excited to see where it takes me next,” Craig said.

“It feels rewarding to add another layer of protection to our IT systems, knowing that we’re helping to safeguard the organisations we work for from potential threats and vulnerabilities. It gives us a real sense of purpose in our work,” Helmien said.

Keen to see more locals join the fight against cybercrime, Craig and Helmien encourage anyone who shares their love of technology and seeking a rewarding career to make the most of the opportunities currently available in the field.

“My advice to anyone considering a career in cybersecurity would be to seize the opportunity to get exposed to the field – it’s an exciting and rapidly growing industry. The field is vast, and having a clear area of expertise can make you even more valuable and help you stand out in the industry,” Craig said.

“The demand for cybersecurity professionals is only growing, and there are plenty of opportunities for graduates. I highly recommend taking the course; it's an advantageous path, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have studied it,” Helmien said.