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Soaring Demand for Cybersecurity Talent: How to Start a Career as a Cybersecurity Expert

With the introduction of new legislation, the ‘Protection of Critical Infrastructure (Computer Systems) Bill’, cybersecurity is no longer just a buzzword. From finance to public services, industries of all kinds are facing strict legal regulations and urgently need to establish professional cyber defences. As technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing become widespread, there are always new ways for hackers to attack. This means society's demand for cybersecurity experts is both long-term and continuous. This huge demand presents the perfect opportunity for you to enter the professional field of cybersecurity.

But what if you have no background in cybersecurity? How can you enter the industry successfully? Many people have doubts about pursuing a career in this field. Let's debunk these common myths and explore the quickest and most effective ways to start your journey in cybersecurity.

1. Debunking the 3 Big Myths of Entering Cybersecurity

Myth 1: "My maths isn't great and I have zero knowledge of programming. Am I unsuitable for studying cybersecurity?"

That's not true! Cybersecurity is a big field, and not all roles require advanced mathematics or expert programming skills. While logical thinking is certainly important, your curiosity, passion for problem-solving, and attention to detail are more critical. The entry barriers to cybersecurity are lower and more varied than you might think.

Many professional cybersecurity programmes, such as Higher Diplomas, are specifically designed for students with no prior background. These courses start with the fundamentals—from computer networks and operating systems to programming languages—guiding you step-by-step into the world of cybersecurity.

Myth 2: "What kind of work does a cybersecurity professional actually do?"

Imagine cybersecurity as a constant battle between offence and defence. The job roles can be broadly divided into these two categories.

The ‘Offensive Side’ involves authorised personnel simulating hacker intrusions. Their goal is to proactively find potential security vulnerabilities in existing systems and gain access. On the other hand, the ‘Defensive Side’ is responsible for building firewalls, monitoring systems, and defending against real-time attacks. If the defences are breached, ‘Investigators’ step in to trace the source of the attack.

Therefore, cybersecurity is a professional field that encompasses attack, defence, and investigation.

Myth 3: "After studying cybersecurity, is 'Cybersecurity Expert' the only job available?"

That idea is wrong! This notion completely overlooks the breadth and depth of the industry! In reality, the career ladder and variety of roles are far richer than you might imagine. A cybersecurity professional is not just a technical implementer; they can be a company's security strategist, consultant, or detective. Let's look at some popular cybersecurity positions to understand the diversity of the field:

Popular Cybersecurity Roles and Responsibilities

Role	Experience Required	Key Responsibilities
Cybersecurity Analyst / SOC Analyst	0 - 3 years	Responsible for real-time monitoring of system alerts, analysing logs to identify potential threats, and performing initial incident triage and investigation. They are the first line of defence for an organisation's cybersecurity.
Vulnerability Management Analyst	0 - 2 years	Uses scanning tools to find system vulnerabilities, analyses scan reports to assess risk levels, and tracks the progress of vulnerability patching.
IT Auditor / Compliance Analyst	0 - 2 years	Assists in verifying that a company's systems comply with security regulations and policies. Gathers evidence required for audits (such as logs and configuration files) and helps write audit reports.
Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker	2 - 5 years	With authorisation, simulates hacker attack methods to proactively discover security vulnerabilities in systems and applications. Writes detailed test reports and provides recommendations for remediation.
Incident Responder / Digital Forensics Expert	3 - 8 years	When a security incident occurs (e.g., data breach, ransomware attack), this role is responsible for the emergency response, containing the threat, and using digital forensic techniques to trace the attack source and determine the scope of the impact.
Security Consultant	5 - 10+ years	Provides professional security risk assessments for corporate clients. Helps develop or optimise overall security strategies, policies, and procedures based on industry standards (like ISO 27001) and regulatory requirements.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)	8 - 15+ years	Responsible for defining the company's overall security strategy and roadmap, managing the security team and budget, and reporting on the security posture and risks to senior management, ensuring business operations comply with security regulations.

The 'Experience Required' above is a general industry guideline. Actual requirements may vary depending on the company's size, industry, and region.

2. Your Educational and Career Pathway to a Fast-Track Entry into Cybersecurity

Regardless of your DSE results, this is just your starting point, not your final destination. To successfully embark on a career in cybersecurity, you can plan the most suitable educational pathway based on your circumstances.

Step 1: Plan Your Educational Pathway

The most direct way to enter the cybersecurity industry is by completing a relevant programme and obtaining a formal qualification. Your Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) results will determine your starting point:

Good results: You can directly apply for a four-year Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity.
If your results don't immediately meet degree requirements: You can first complete a 2-year Higher Diploma in a related field like Computer Science or IT. You can then gain advanced standing entry into the third year of a cybersecurity Bachelor's degree, so you still finish your degree in four years total.

Step 2: Prepare for Professional Certifications

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional): Internationally recognised as the "gold standard," suitable for experienced professionals and managers.
CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor): The leading certification for the information systems auditing profession.
CISP (Certified Information Security Professional): A national-level certification with high recognition in the Chinese Mainland.

Step 3: Accumulate Practical Experience Through Competitions and Internships

Beyond classroom learning, you should hone your skills through various practical experiences:

Participate in Cybersecurity Competitions: These include CTF (Capture The Flag) competitions, which allow you to delve into specific technologies like a puzzle-solver, and AWDP (Attack-Defence) competitions, which train your integrated offensive and defensive skills in a high-pressure environment. These experiences significantly enhance your problem-solving and response capabilities.
Secure an Internship: An internship or placement allows you to apply what you've learned in a real business environment. It is also a crucial way to build your professional network and secure a job offer after graduation.

3. Understanding the Cybersecurity Landscape: How to Take the First Step?

After learning about the vast prospects and entry pathways in cybersecurity, choosing the right starting point is crucial. HKCT offers a clear educational ladder from Higher Diploma to degree level. Our curriculum emphasises a balance of theory and practice, providing state-of-the-art cybersecurity facilities that allow you to master practical skills through extensive hands-on labs and prepare you for professional certifications like CISP and CISA.

This emphasis on practical skills extends beyond the classroom. The programme features a dedicated CTF Club, encouraging students to form teams and participate in cybersecurity competitions to sharpen their response abilities in simulated attack-and-defence scenarios. Furthermore, the college leverages its strong industry network to provide internship opportunities, enabling you to translate your academic knowledge into valuable work experience. This ensures a seamless transition from learning to practice and into a successful career.

HKCT provides Cybersecurity related programmes:

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and Cybersecurity（Year 1 Entry）

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and Cybersecurity（Year 3 Entry）

Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity (Testing and Compliance)

This programme is subsidised under Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme (NMTSS).

This programme has been included in the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP).