Ely, United Kingdom, 17th May 2023 – Earlier this year, the IT Governance penetration testing team was invited by our US-based channel partner LastLine Cyber to share guidance on penetration testing as a career path to inspire the next generation of cyber security professionals.
James Pickard, Head of Security Testing at IT Governance Ltd, and Ross Higgins, Penetration Tester at IT Governance Ltd, met with Jackson Eastmer, a cyber security student at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, to answer his questions about the penetration tester role and give him activities to help him improve his cyber security skill set.
Jackson said: “James and Ross helped me understand what I might want to do with a cyber security degree and how there are several different paths to the same future.
“They told me about different skills that I would need for certain tasks and helped guide me to my end goal in the cyber security industry.”
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, there were 3.5 million unfilled cyber security jobs globally in 2021 – a 350% increase over an eight-year period. It also predicted that there would be just as many openings in 2025. This highlights the importance of encouraging more people to work in the cyber security sector to fill the cyber skills gap.
James said: “Interacting with the next generation of security professionals is such an important part of our role within the cyber community, as we can help guide and inspire them.
“Getting into this field is challenging as there are so many different paths, so hearing about what the job entails helps them make the best decisions about their future.
“We can also provide tips to accelerate their career and avoid pitfalls that we may have experienced or seen.”
Josh Pribanic, President of LastLine Cyber, said: “Engaging with curious young cyber security professionals is an essential component of talent development.
“Ross Higgins and James Pickard are two of the most talented penetration testers I know, so when the opportunity arose to have them provide guidance to a university student about potential career paths, I knew it was going to be incredibly beneficial.
“Ross and James went above and beyond, providing Jackson with key insights that will no doubt prove beneficial as internship and career opportunities in the field arise.”
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About IT Governance
IT Governance is a leading global provider of cyber risk and privacy management solutions, with a special focus on cyber resilience, cyber security, data protection, ISO 27001 and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
IT Governance is committed to helping organisations protect themselves and their customers from the perpetually evolving range of cyber threats. Its deep industry expertise and pragmatic approach help clients improve their defences and make key strategic decisions that benefit the entire organisation.
IT Governance’s Protect – Comply – Thrive approach is aimed at helping organisations achieve resilience in the face of constant change.
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