Interview: Shradha Angrish, winner of ESET Australia’s 2023 Women in Cyber Security Scholarship

Congratulations on winning the 2023 ESET Women in Cyber Security Scholarship in Australia! How did you feel when you heard the news?

Thank you! I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I got the call just as I was about to enter a maths lecture and the only thoughts I remember having before the call were about assignments, tests, and other things I needed to do. The call really made me stop and think, “Whoa! I’m doing more than OK!” I feel much more supported and motivated to keep going!

What stimulated your passion for STEM studies, and why did you decide on a double degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on cyber security at the University of Adelaide?

I have had access to some incredible opportunities that have helped fuel my passion for STEM studies. Sometimes, it would be hearing my digital technology teacher talk about how I can “enrich humanity” through playing to my strengths in a STEM career, or industry professionals talking about the real, meaningful contributions they get to make through their roles. Other times, it would be meeting astronauts (I have met three so far!) or being flown to Canberra to meet the minister of cyber security and home affairs and ESET professionals for a super cool cyber security scholarship!

I chose the double degree based on guidance from my industry mentors, such as people from the Australian Institute of Machine Learning, or start-ups at Lot 14, Adelaide. So far, my degree has been quite engineering-heavy (and I have enjoyed it!), but I’m looking forward to learning more and more about cyber security.

Can you tell us about a cyber security project or research that you have worked on that you are particularly proud of?

Absolutely! I conducted a six-month research project in year 12 to explore the use of personal data by digital platforms and presented my findings as an educational magazine that a general reader would find engaging. It gave me an excuse to spend hours feeding my curiosity by researching and conducting interviews and surveys about technical cyber security concepts, data ethics, laws, level of public awareness/unawareness, and more. Completing an assignment can often feel like a destination, but this project felt like a first step in a lifelong learning journey.

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges facing cyber security today, and what are some potential solutions to these challenges?

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My general understanding is this: If laws/cyber security practices are going at the speed limit on a school road, then technological advancements are going at the speed of light. For example, I hear a lot about how internet of things devices, like cube satellites, are in a vulnerable position when it comes to cyber attacks.

As a student, the first potential solution that comes to my mind is sensitising and educating emerging generations and building a stronger and highly skilled workforce with people from diverse backgrounds.

Also, something I was told during my work experience at Lot 14 in year 10 was [that] “anything can be fixed if you throw enough money at it”. I found it funny then, but I think it might be truer than I originally gave it credit for.

How important do you think collaboration and information-sharing are in the cyber security industry, and how do you see these evolving in the future?

Very important! Cyber security is a complex and constantly evolving field. And it’s one of those things that “isn’t anyone’s problem, it’s everyone’s problem”. It only makes sense for the industry to be collaborative and share information to facilitate the generation of innovative ideas and decisions.

I’ll admit, I don’t know how these will evolve in the future (yet). But I imagine it could look something like coming together to share experiences, perspectives, and expertise to help identify the risks associated with a proposed solution before we find them the hard way. Sometimes, it might take one step back to take two forward.

How do you think cyber security will need to evolve in the future as technology continues to advance and cyber threats become more sophisticated?

I think it needs to be taken more seriously. From what I’ve gathered, it looks like everyone’s excited about the shiny new toy (technological advancements) and not enough people are reading the care instructions.

As a student, I would love to see more education initiatives towards inspiring students like myself to develop the relevant skills and solve these issues. As a woman in STEM, I would love to see more diverse backgrounds in this field, for the reasons mentioned earlier, but also so that a talented mind isn’t repulsed by the field just because of a lack of representation.

How do you stay up to date with the latest developments and trends in cyber security?

Industry mentors! At this stage of my studies/career, I don’t know what it is that I don’t know. So attending events like panel discussions or speaking to industry professionals is a great way to get exposed to some of the developments and trends. I am keen to grow my network and gain access to a lot more information.

What do you think are the most important qualities for someone pursuing a career in cyber security?

From what I know so far, I think the most important qualities for someone pursuing a career in cyber security are curiosity, persistence, adaptability, responsibility, creativity, and a willingness to explore ideas outside of their comfort zone.

How do you balance your academic studies with extracurricular activities and personal interests?

I maintain a calendar of important events, deadlines, and self-suggested time blocks where I can focus on high-priority tasks from my to-do list. I frequently reflect on and update my priorities, which helps me ensure that I’m not doing something at the cost of another for too long. Moreover, I build healthy habits when it comes to simple tasks like sleeping, eating, and exercising. This helps me optimise my mental capacity and time management so I can do (almost) everything I want to!

What advice would you give to other women who are interested in pursuing a career in cyber security?

Don’t let yourself get in your way. Dream big. Feed your curiosity. Be who you want. Make sure that your self-talk reinforces the fact that you are valuable and capable. Don’t underestimate yourself. If the footprints on your path of interest don’t match your feet, be the first person to make your footprints so that when someone else like you reaches the same crossroads, they know that this path is possible for someone like them.

What are your future career goals after completing your degree?

It’s too early to say! Maybe something related to cyber in space. My current focus is on developing my knowledge and skills, exploring all the options, and gaining as much exposure to the industry as possible. For all I know, I might end up in a role that doesn’t even exist yet!

Pavinder Walia is APJ president at ESET.