Aurelia Brzezowska, Chair of the Youth Advisory Panel | 28th July 2026

One of the most valuable career development activities is often overlooked: networking can provide opportunities that are difficult to find elsewhere. It can help you learn about different career paths, meet potential employers, find mentors, discover resources and opportunities, and gain insights into the industry that are not taught in classrooms or training courses.

Cyber security is a people-focused profession. While technical skills are essential for many roles, communication and relationship-building are equally important. Not every role within cyber security is highly technical: roles in governance, risk and compliance (GRC), in information security and in communications are examples of careers that rely heavily on strong interpersonal skills. Building these skills early is just as valuable as developing technical knowledge. The earlier you begin building your professional network, the stronger your foundation will be as your career develops. Below is my advice on why networking is so important for early career success.

Why Networking Matters Early in Your Career

Many assume networking only becomes important once they have secured a role, but it is often most valuable before entering the profession. Speaking with professionals can help answer questions such as:

What does a typical day in this role look like?
Is this the right career path for me?
What skills are employers looking for?
How can I gain experience when applying for my first cyber role?
What challenges should I expect when starting out?

Networking also provides visibility of opportunities before they become widely known. Many organisations actively engage with students, apprentices, graduates, and career changers through these. Making a positive impression and building relationships can often help you stand out when opportunities become available. It can also help you understand that there is no single route into cyber security. Everyone's journey is different, and hearing those stories is incredibly valuable when planning your own.

Types of Cyber Security Events You Could Consider

One common misconception is that networking only happens at large conferences. There are many different types of events that are accessible to students, early-career professionals, and career changers. Here are some of the communities and events that I believe are worth exploring:

Community Meetups

Local cyber security meetups are often one of the best entry points for early careers. These events are usually more informal, and significantly less intimidating than large conferences. They provide opportunities to meet professionals in a relaxed environment (often with food and drink) and have genuine conversations with people working across the sector. Occasionally, they also include talks and workshops.

Examples of community groups and events could include:

2600 meetings, OWASP local chapters, Bsides events, Cyber House Party meetups, WiCyS community events, ISC2 chapter meetings, ISACA chapter events, local cyber clusters and regional cyber communities.

Many professionals who attend these events want to support the next generation entering the profession. You will be surprised by how willing people are to share advice and guidance. Whilst many events are free to attend, some organisations may require membership to access local chapter meetings, specialist events, or additional resources. It is important to do some research into what works best for you before joining. A great way to do this is to reach out to any members of your existing network to see which paid organisations they recommend, and why.

Remember that you do not need to join every organisation or attend every event. Consider your interests, budget, and focus on the communities that will provide the greatest value to you. Building a strong network is not about the number of memberships you hold.

University and College Events

If you are studying at university or college, make the most of the opportunities available to you. Many institutions and job boards host their own:

Careers fairs
Industry guest lectures
Skills workshops
Cyber security specific society events
Clubs and Societies focused on cyber security and/or computing

While most of these events are catered towards students, some events (e.g. hackathons, capture the flags (CTFs), or conferences) can be open to the public. Always triple check the event description and sign-up forms for further information if you live near an academic institution. As these events are tailored towards early-careers, they can be seen as more welcoming for those starting their journey, and as a chance to network with individuals on similar pathways.

How to Approach Networking as an Early Career Professional

Networking can feel intimidating, especially when speaking with experienced professionals. However, most people in the cyber security community remember exactly what it was like to be starting out and are often happy to support newcomers.

A useful approach is to focus on learning rather than trying to impress people. Consider asking more personal questions that you wouldn’t get a chance to ask online such as:

What advice would you give your younger self?
Are there any books, podcasts, or resources you would recommend?
What skills should students focus on developing today?
What mistakes should early-career professionals avoid?

These questions can lead to rewarding conversations and it is also worth remembering that not every conversation needs to start with work. Some of the strongest professional relationships are built through discussions about shared interests, hobbies, experiences, and goals. Getting to know the person behind the job title can often create more meaningful and lasting connections.

Making the Most of Events

Attending an event is only the first step. To gain maximum value, it helps to prepare beforehand and follow up afterwards.

Before attending:

Research the agenda.
Identify any sessions or talks that interest you.
Learn about any organisations attending.
Prepare a short introduction about yourself (preferred name, where you study/work, interests in the field, why you are attending, and where possible, link it to the person you are speaking to.)
Set realistic goals, such as speaking to three new people.

Examples of good introductions:

Hi, lovely to meet you! My name is Lara and I’m currently a final year Cyber Security student at University of Staffordshire. I’m quite interested in GRC and noticed that one of the speakers today has a background in this. I’d love to make some new connections to learn more about current industry trends outside of academia. I heard you mention that you’ve been in the industry for ten years, how did you get started?

Hi, I’m Arun. I’ve worked in real estate for the last three years, but I am hoping to transition into threat intelligence. I really enjoyed today's panel discussion on cybercrime, what are your thoughts on it?

Hi, I'm Sophie. I'm currently completing an apprenticeship in cyber security. I came across your recent talk on security awareness and really enjoyed your perspective on communicating risk to non-technical audiences. That's an area I'm interested in developing, what skills would you recommend focusing on early in a career?

During the event:

Ask questions.
Be approachable and participate in discussions.
Take notes on any advice and recommendations you receive.
Keep an open mind: attending a session on a topic that you aren’t knowledgeable on or talking with someone who works in a field you do not know much about can reveal hidden opportunities that you hadn’t considered before.

If you are naturally introverted, try to avoid staying on the edge of the room. Consider joining a group conversation or approaching someone who is standing alone. Equally, try not to interrupt people who are deep in discussion, as it can be difficult to join the conversation. If one group does not feel welcoming, do not be discouraged, move on and try another. Most people are attending to make new connections and are happy to have a conversation.

After the event:

Connect with people on networking platforms (e.g. LinkedIn or Discord).
Thank individuals who offered guidance.
Follow up on any recommendations.
On a personal note, reflect on what you learned.
Most importantly, stay engaged with future community activities.

Networking is about learning and building relationships over time. If you are considering attending your first cyber security event, go for it! Introduce yourself, ask questions and be willing to learn. Every professional started somewhere, and your next conversation could be the one that shapes your future career.