Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security helps Michael strengthen regional Queensland
For Michael Fitzgerald, cyber security isn't just about protecting systems – it's about keeping communities connected.
Working as a Systems Analyst with Cassowary Coast Regional Council, in Far North Queensland, Michael has spent over seven years supporting the technology that underpins essential local government services.
As cyber security became an increasingly important part of his role, he decided it was time to build on his practical experience through postgraduate study.
Today, Michael has completed TAFE Queensland's Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security (HED011), strengthening his technical expertise while developing the governance, risk and ethical knowledge needed to support modern cyber security practice.
Michael's career has always combined infrastructure and software development, spanning networks, servers and identity management through to application development, systems integration and automation.
In his current role within the council's Digital Intelligence team, security underpins almost everything he does.
"I'd spent years building systems and writing the code that runs on them. Securing those systems properly was the obvious next layer," Michael said.
Already holding a range of industry certifications, including CompTIA Network+ and Security+, Microsoft AZ-500 and MS-500, Michael was looking for the broader strategic knowledge that complements technical capability.
"What I wanted was the formal grounding underneath the practical experience – the governance, risk, legal and ethical side that you don't necessarily pick up through day-to-day technical work," he said.
Michael first discovered the Graduate Certificate through the Queensland Cyber Security Unit's Cyber Skills program, which promotes funded professional development opportunities for Queensland Government employees.
"The opportunity came through Cyber Skills, at no cost, which made the decision to study easy. I probably wouldn't have gone looking for postgraduate study on my own, but the program put it in front of me, and TAFE Queensland made it accessible,” he said.
For Michael, one of the highlights of his studies was the quality of teaching and the highly interactive learning environment.
"Dr Jarrod Trevathan was an excellent teacher. The project management and ethics content has been the most immediately useful part of the course, and I'm still applying it in my work today," he continued.
Despite studying remotely from Innisfail, Michael never felt disconnected from the classroom.
"The discussions were genuinely conversational. You could raise ideas, challenge them and work through problems together. Despite being 1,600 kilometres from campus, I still felt like I was part of the class," he said.
For regional students, he said, flexible online delivery is more than a convenience - it's essential.
Balancing full-time work with postgraduate study required careful planning, but support from Cassowary Coast Regional Council and TAFE Queensland's remote delivery model made it achievable.
"Without remote delivery, I simply couldn't have done it; that's not a small point for people working in regional Queensland," Michael said.
Michael describes TAFE Queensland's training as practical and industry-focused, particularly in areas such as ethics and project management, where he has been able to apply what he learned in the workplace immediately.
Since completing the Graduate Certificate, he has developed greater confidence in approaching cyber security challenges strategically, particularly when advising stakeholders and designing technology solutions.
"The course gave me the vocabulary and frameworks to back up instincts I'd already developed," he said.
"There's a real difference between knowing something is a bad idea and being able to explain why against recognised standards."
In his role at Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Michael works across business analysis, application support and software development, supporting enterprise applications, Microsoft 365 and identity services and systems integration and automation projects.
Whether modernising business processes or responding to emergencies, technology plays a critical role in the communities he serves.
"I've been involved in getting Starlink services up during flooding so isolated communities could reconnect with their families," he said.
"I've also built software that quietly improves the accuracy of council systems. People might never know it's there, but it makes a real difference."
Looking ahead, Michael hopes to continue building his cyber security expertise while remaining focused on solving practical technology challenges for regional communities.
He also plans to continue his postgraduate studies through TAFE Queensland's Master of Cyber Security (HED009) if funding becomes available.
For Michael, accessible postgraduate education plays an important role in strengthening Queensland's cyber capability, particularly outside metropolitan areas.
"Regional councils face the same cyber security threats as much larger organisations, often with far fewer resources; that's why pathways like this are so important," he said.
For IT professionals looking to formalise their experience while continuing to work, Michael believes TAFE Queensland offers a practical and flexible solution.
"If you're already working in IT and can't relocate to Brisbane, this pathway genuinely works. It allows regional professionals to build their skills without putting their careers on hold,” concluded Michael.