Tell us more about how you found cyber as a career

It was never my intention to pursue a career within cyber security, I fell into the industry by accident.

After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, I was drawn to cloud computing because of its transformative impact on the healthcare sector. Although I had heard about cyber security, I doubted my abilities to succeed in that field, thinking I needed to be a coder or hacker. My journey into cyber security began unexpectedly at a recruitment event hosted by a financial institution, where they highlighted various tech roles. A conversation with one of the hiring managers about a position focused on protecting banks from bot attacks piqued my interest. Additionally, I felt a connection with the hiring manager and envisioned myself thriving in that environment with his team’s support. I went ahead and applied, and after two interviews, I was thrilled to secure the position.

What were the key transferable skills from your previous career that fit with cyber?

Communication:
A significant part of my role involves translating complex technical concepts into accessible language for non-technical stakeholders. I often work to persuade various business lines to adopt cyber security measures for their platforms, emphasising the tangible benefits of these protections.

Stakeholder Management:
Implementing cyber security measures for an application requires collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including different tech departments, business personnel, and application owners.

Project Management:
My responsibilities include defining project scopes, establishing deadlines, managing JIRA tickets, and following up with stakeholders to ensure timely progress on assigned tasks.

Technical Perspective:
My background in cloud computing, gained through bootcamps like AWS Restart and IN4.0, has been instrumental in understanding application hosting. Many organisations are migrating their applications to the cloud, which adds complexity when evaluating suitable cyber security measures for those applications.

What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?

One of my proudest achievements has been successfully guiding an initially hesitant application team to fully embrace cyber security as a core component of their business strategy. Transitioning from a Chemistry graduate to a DDoS specialist has been a unique and fulfilling journey, filled with challenges that ultimately led to personal and professional growth.

What one bit of advice or knowledge would you give to someone considering a career in cyber?

I would recommend developing a strong understanding of networks. Networks are fundamental to how computers communicate with each other, and much of my work involves assessing the IT infrastructure of applications and analysing how user traffic flows to those applications.

How has the industry changed since you started in it?

The rise of AI has significantly transformed the landscape, lowering the barriers for malicious actors to launch cyberattacks. Previously, it was thought that only skilled coders or hackers could orchestrate such attacks, but now, anyone can carry out cyber attacks due to the widespread availability of resources and tools.

About Yemurai Rabvukwa

Yemurai is a dynamic and influential figure in the technology sector, making waves as a Senior Cybersecurity Associate and a prominent Cybersecurity social media influencer(STEM Babe). With a First Class degree in Chemistry, Yemurai has seamlessly transitioned into the tech industry through a squiggly pathway where she has quickly established herself as a leading voice in cybersecurity. She has been shortlisted for awards such as "Most Inspiring Women in Cyber" , "Tech Influencer of the Year" , finalist for "Rising Star" Black Tech Awards and award winner of “TechWomen100” awards.

Her impact on the tech community is profound, with a social media presence that boasts over 76,000 followers across her social media pages. Yemurai’s ability to resonate with her audience is evident in the success of her content, including a Cybersecurity apprenticeship video that went viral, collectively garnering over 450,000 views across her social media pages. These achievements underscore her role as a pivotal figure in educating and inspiring the next generation of tech professionals and has led her to partner with organisations such as Cyber4Her, INCO Academy, and Rewriting the Code.

Offline, Yemurai is a passionate public speaker who has addressed over 500 people on topics such as cyber security, navigating wobbly careers, and overcoming imposter syndrome. She has spoken at prestigious tech events, including Skyscanner, Devoxx, and UK Cyber Week, as well as at secondary schools, where she works to demystify careers in cyber security and encourage both students and experienced professionals to explore opportunities in the industry.