Cybersecurity analyst

"My journey with the Japanese language began in high-school where study of a second language was compulsory. Soon it became my favourite subject in high-school. My other interest in computers more naturally seemed to lead toward a preferred career path. However, at the time it would have been fair to say that my passion for Japanese was stronger and therefore continuing with it at University was a ‘given’. To accomplish both, a conjoint was the perfect option for me.

"Making good on my plan of studying abroad, I spent two semesters on exchange at Keio University in Tokyo through the 360 Program. There I was able to further my Japanese education and get a real taste of life in Japan. This consolidated my desire to work in Japan after graduating.

"I currently work as a cybersecurity analyst in Tokyo, conducting vulnerability assessments of websites and of an ever-growing number of “connected” devices.

"This entails assessing the website or physical device from the point of view of an attacker trying to carry out malicious actions against users or against the system itself, thereby resulting in an outage, loss of sensitive information, or other harm to the customer.

"Customers come to us from an incredibly wide range of fields, meaning that although the basics of securing a website, or IoT device are similar, the various systems have all been designed differently and are for differing needs. As a result, each job is a new challenge that requires me to apply my problem solving skills and the ability to view the system from the “attacker’s” point of view to identify weaknesses in the system.

"My time on exchange gave me the confidence to know that I could go out into the world - a foreign and very different world - communicate with people, live independently, and achieve my goals.

"To anyone considering study, where their options seem split into a more logical career-oriented option, and another more personally interesting option, or merely between two equally interesting options, I would recommend trying to follow a path which allows you to do both. Doing so will expand your world and vastly increase the possibilities that lie ahead of you as you connect both areas of interest.

"It is there, perhaps, where you have the greatest chance of finding a career which suits who are as a person, and the goals you have for your future. So, recognise that the hard work during University and the sacrifices made are an investment in a ‘future-you’, where the rewards will be many and varied."