Bridging the gap between uni and industry - AWSN Cadets

_____________________________________________________________________________

By Jacqui Loustau, Founder and one of the Directors of the Australian Women in Security Network

________________________________________________________________________________

I remember when I was at school, I always questioned why I was learning certain subjects (typical teenager I guess..!). Why we had to study maths, why I had to learn french. I didn't understand the importance as I couldn't apply it to real life situations. When I started uni, studying the Bachelor of Information Systems, I was lucky enough to also work part time at Australia Post in their helpdesk. It was then that I started to understand the point of all this learning.

Having a curiosity for technology is one thing, but to understand why you need to know something can enhance your learning considerably. Being able to apply and understand how things operate and work can be a great advantage before entering the workforce. 

Being in a male dominated field can sometimes make it intimating for some females to fit in and can make some of us shy away from asking questions in the fear that we will be judged. 

The importance of role models and finding great mentors is vital. To see someone working in an area and to understand what their everyday job entails can help shape where you want to go in the future. 

The AWSN Cadets brings together female students from different universities interested pursuing a career in the information security space.
It provides a safe environment to:
- meet others with similar interests and challenges
-  facilitate networking opportunities to help apply study into real life and relevant industry contexts
- practice hands-on technical skills
- helps broaden perspective and provides real insights into what it’s like to work in cyber security

- connect with industry

- build confidence

We are about to complete our first AWSN Cadets pilot programme - 5 technical workshops on the basics of malware reverse engineering. Our first mentor Noushin Shabab has been teaching us the difference between static and dynamic analysis, the tools analysts would use in order to understand and dissect what malware does. These have been very interesting sessions, and have helped these students understand why file types, address of entry points and size of code matter! 

To get this rare insight to what a malware reverse engineer does in her every day job is fascinating. I wish I had known this years ago, my life may have taken a different path! 

We are thankful for Noushin and our future mentors for the time they are giving in order to pass their knowledge onto to us.

The last session will have various companies come and present on what they do as a malware reverse engineer at their company. This helps provide different perspectives on what this type of job entails.

The group of maximum of 10, meets every fortnight and each topic runs for approx. 5 weeks after hours.Future topics currently lined up are penetration testing, blue teaming and digital forensics.The initiative is run and supported by Kaspersky labs, ANZ, Telstra and PWC.

We will be opening future places over the next few months. Places are strictly limited and selective due to the nature of what is being taught. If you are interested in participating, finding out more information or becoming a mentor, then please contact our AWSN cadet leaders Elizabeth Bonny and Diane Loi at:

Testimony from an AWSN Cadet:

The AWSN Cadets technical workshops with Noushin Shabab have been a rare and valuable opportunity for me to expand my info sec horizons! I have experienced a completely different side of the information security industry - malware reverse engineering - that I may not have otherwise had exposure to as a university student. The small class size of 10 students also means that you really get to know both your peers and the industry mentor well. I feel like I've formed some great friendships as a consequence.  
Thoroughly recommend AWSN Cadets and their workshops for their content, networking opportunities, and support - you'd be hard pressed to find opportunities like this anywhere else for tertiary female students interested in all things information security!" 

(c) AWSN 2017

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organisation or association.

National Volunteer Week 2017 - thoughts on volunteering

 

The Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) is run by volunteers and applauds the efforts of all people who volunteer in any capacity to make our world a better place. As part of the National Volunteer week 8-14 May 2017 the AWSN is proud to share with you some thoughts relating to volunteering.

''AWSN has provided me with a forum to communicate and network with peers plus learn from experts within the Information Security industry. Through AWSN I have had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a scenario where everyone benefits: working with student volunteers on aspects of an Information Security program in the corporate environment as well as with mentors who provide guidance on how best to address challenges I face within my job role'' - Marise Alphonse

''an international student pursuing Master of Applied Science (Information Security and Assurance) at RMIT, I was looking for volunteering opportunities to gain Australian local experience, which is helpful for pursuing a career in Australian Information Security industry. Being member of Australian Women in Security Network, I got a volunteering opportunity through Jacqui Loustau, at The Salvation Army – Melbourne head office. The exposure I got at The Salvation Army aligns with the risk assessment, creating policy and procedures. It was a fantastic opportunity which has afforded me a well-rounded skill set, including problem solving abilities, good understanding of business, infrastructure and process perspective to information security''.- Ms. Ruchita Parab (RMIT University, Master of Information Security and Assurance)

A common interview question that I have come across several times would be "Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?". It was a bit harder to answer during earlier years when I was just an undergraduate student solely focused on studies, but in the present, the answer comes naturally - I wish to become a mentor to younger girls pursuing a career in the industry, just like how the inspiring women of AWSN are to me today. That's the beauty of volunteering for an organisation that aligns with your own personal advocacy - you always feels driven to share the experience with others.
- Micah Agustin (RMIT University, Master of Statistics and Operations Research)

“Joining and volunteering with AWSN has broadened my appreciation of security, particularly information security and cyber resilience. I have met many wonderful women (and a few supportive men); learnt lots from each of them; and look forward to continuing to do so. Thanks all! I still need some ‘re-training’, given I started working in security as a Queensland Police Officer. -  Chris Miller, one of AWSN’s Directors; LinkedIn Manager and Co-Lead AWSN Canberra Chapter.”

 This post has been created by A Turner on behalf of AWSN. 

(c) AWSN 2017

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organisation or association.

The birth of the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN)

This post has been written by the AWSN founder, Jacqui Loustau AWSN is an industry network with the aim of connecting, supporting, collaborating, and inspiring women in the security industry. 

The network literally came to life after my son was born, during my maternity leave. Lack of sleep, happy hormones, the need to do something other than change nappies and clean the house, I decided to start something I have always felt passionate about. I wanted to connect with other women in security, to see if anyone else felt the same way as I did and understand if they had the same need to help our industry.

I wanted to share the story of how AWSN started, because I think it is important to understand where the vision came from, how it was formed and what we are trying to achieve.

AWSN founder Jacqui Loustai

There’s more than one definition for diversity

A post by Claire Fulford, business owner, security professional and passionate supporter of diversity.

People talk about wanting diversity but not everyone defines it the same way.  When I resigned from my role in Hong Kong last year, I contacted recruiters in Australia.  Many told me that my 3+ years of Asian experience meant nothing in Australia and that if I wasn’t technical I was going to struggle to get work.  The fact that I was a woman “helped” but I was going to have to “take a lower role to get some Australian experience”. I was returning to a country that prided itself on its commitment to diversity and yet I was told I needed to be like everyone else in order to secure a senior role.  Fortunately for me, it was my network that brought the right role to my attention. 

I’ve never really been one for the whole diversity thing. I’m more about the right person for the right job…no matter the gender, age, race, religion or preference for Beatles or Elvis (for the record…I'm a Beatles fan). 

Beatles or Elvis? Diversity! (Ímage owner unknown)

People are people and it’s unfortunate that we are at a place in our history where we require quotas to make sure there’s enough ‘diversity’ in decision making roles (and will continue to be in the future).  And let’s be honest, when most businesses say they are looking for diversity…they really mean women. Which is a shame given how ‘diverse’ diversity can be when you put your mind to it. 

After recently working on an article for CSO Online with Micah and Iresha from AWSN, I felt aligned with the interviewees whose responses reflected more than one definition for diversity.  There’s diverse culture, diverse career backgrounds, diverse thinking, diverse work locations and diverse values – all of these things and more make for a better equipped workforce.

With the current state of the information security industry, its challenging to find roles that fit our vast, varied and diverse experience.  If you need some support to get into the industry or to find your next role to stay in the industry (because this is proving to be just a big a challenge as entry), support can be found here at AWSN.  Establishing your strengths, deciding where you want to be and who you might need to meet to get you there can make the world of difference.  Come along to our lunches, reach out at conferences and connect with other AWSN members to find coaches, mentors and more.  We look forward to meeting you…male, female, senior, junior, Elvis or Beatles… everyone is welcome.

 This post has been created by A Turner on behalf of AWSN. 

(c) AWSN 2016

The AWSN pathways programme.

Pathways Programme

Introducing an initiative by the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) to support young women seeking a career in the security sector, the AWSN pathways programme.

The AWSN PATHWAYS PROGRAMMEis a professional development dual programme designed to prepare a select group of young women for a career in the security sector.  The AWSN aims to build a talent pool of high school and university graduates to fill, forge and create existing and new security sector workforce requirements.  The Pathways Programme will provide opportunities to partner with industry and other business environments to provide students and graduates with broad exposure to a variety of roles, and relevant training and development in preparation for a career in various fields which require security specialists with appropriate skill sets.  Admission to the programme will also enable participants to develop networks across the sector in addition.

This provides an amazing opportunity for students and graduates to be exposed to a broad variety of interesting roles, training and preparation for a career in various fields requiring security specialists.

Admission selection for the first programme to be run in 2017 will begin on December 2016. Please register your interest by liking our page 'Awsn cadets'

 This post has been created by A Turner on behalf of AWSN. 

(c) AWSN 2016

Welcome to the official blog - AWSN

The Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN), was founded by Jacqui Loustau.

AWSN exists to Connect, Support, Collaborate with and Inspire women in security across Australia and Abroad.

Read about the birth of AWSN here

AWSN facilitates networking opportunities, informal social events, mentoring and other activities aimed at supporting women who work in the information security sector.

This blog will feature insights, information, and editorials on  women in the information security sector, challenges faced, and motivational ideas. Posts will be created by members of the AWSN and guest posts are welcome.

If you have any queries please use the contact form.  

 This post has been created on behalf of AWSN. 

(c) AWSN 2017