From The RAF to the Cyber Security Desk; Russ’ Journey into the Industry

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There are many ways to get into cyber security. Competitions like CyberStart can be the perfect way for those who think they have an interest to test their skills. Russ, one of our Security Researchers, tells us how a competition he entered changed his entire career.

“I went into the RAF having spent most of my life tinkering and playing with computers. So I wanted to make sure that my role in the RAF reflected that. I became a technician and worked with computers every day, but something was missing. Then one of my friends told me about the ‘Cyber Security Challenge’, a programme that was sponsored by HP and GCHQ — among others — at the time. I applied to be a contestant in its second year.

I got through and started playing the ‘Cyber Security Challenge’. At the time, I just wanted to ‘learn what I needed to learn’ to work in security. I had no books and no programs like CyberStart; I had to teach myself and prove that I was right for the job.

“There were no books and no programs like CyberStart; I had to teach myself…”

“The ‘Cyber Security Challenge’ has three stages: the first was remote, where I was working on the challenges alone, like many of you may find with CyberStart; the second was held at Sophos labs (where I first met James Lyne); the final was the ‘Masterclass’ grand final where I was pitted against 30 other contestants.

I didn’t think I would get very far. In fact, at every stage I was convinced that I hadn’t done very well. But every time, I was grateful to be able to carry on and learn more. Then, my name was announced as the runner up in the Masterclass grand final. I was so shocked, I didn’t recognise my name — I just didn’t think it could be me!

“I didn’t think I would get very far. In fact, at every stage I was convinced that I hadn’t done very well.”

I had seen this as a fun, outside-of-work experience, so I hadn’t worried about talking to my manager about it. However, the following Monday a Senior Officer was asking around for me! I thought I was in trouble; I hadn’t gone through the usual ‘press officer’ route to do something public (when you’re part of the military in the UK, you have to be careful what you do as it can be reflected back onto your job).

But I wasn’t in trouble; I was offered a job with the Joint Cyber Unit!

Being offered a specialist role when you’re in the junior ranks of the military is almost unheard of. However, I started working at the Joint Cyber Unit not long after the Masterclass grand final, and my career in cyber security has carried on through fun and interesting territory ever since.”

Interested in our programmes? Check out where you can build your cyber security knowledge for free!

UK 13–18-year-old student programme: Cyber Discovery https://cyberdisc.io/medium

USA 13–18 year-old girls student programme: Girls Go CyberStart https://ggcs.online/medium

USA 18–year-old and above college student programme: Cyber FastTrack https://cyberft.io/medium