How Rita found her confidence in cyber security

We caught up with Rita, a 2025 graduate of our cyber security course, to hear about her journey. From tackling challenges to discovering exciting career paths, here’s what she had to say!

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What is the biggest thing you've learned from the CAPSLOCK course?

The biggest thing I've learned from the CAPSLOCK course is how deeply cyber security is tied to risk management and business resilience. I came from a non-technical background, and I used to see cyber security as just a technical issue. But through the course, I've gained a strong understanding of frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST, and the importance of governance, compliance, and the human factor in security.
I've also developed teamwork, communication, and report-writing skills by working on stimulating group projects, which mirror how teams operate in actual cyber security roles.

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Was there a moment during the course that really clicked for you?

Yes, there were several, but the one that really clicked for me was during the auditing module. I realised how essential structured auditing is, not just for compliance, but for identifying real operational weaknesses and improving business resilience.
It was especially powerful to see how an audit isn’t about fault-finding but about asking the right questions to improve systems and reduce risks. That experience helped me see myself in cyber audit or GRC roles.

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How has the course changed how you think or do things?

The course has completely changed the way I think about risk, not just in cyber security, but in business as a whole. Before, I saw risk as something abstract or purely technical. But now, I understand that identifying, assessing, and managing risk is at the heart of good security and good governance.

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What part of the course did you enjoy the most?

The part of the course I enjoyed the most was the auditing module. It gave me clear, structured ways to assess whether security controls are not only in place but actually effective. I really enjoyed learning how to plan and conduct an audit, collect evidence, and evaluate compliance.

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Was there anything you found challenging, and how did you get through it?

Yes, I definitely found the first few weeks of the course quite challenging. Coming from a non-technical background, I had no previous exposure to cyber security, so everything felt completely new: the terminology, the frameworks, the tools.
What helped me push through was persistently asking questions during lessons and going over the recorded sessions to reinforce my understanding. I also found a lot of value in discussions with my peers, just hearing how others made sense of things helped me build confidence.

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How did you find the support from the tutors, career and wellbeing team?

It was incredible. I would say that’s really what kept me going, to be honest. The team is amazing, extremely patient and quick to respond. With a single email, they could get back to you as soon as possible. There’s unlimited support within CAPSLOCK, starting from the career team right through to wellbeing and tutor support.

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What was your career before this course, and why did you want to change careers and get into cyber security?

My previous career was in administration. Most of the time, I worked in administrative roles; I’ve done a bit of office management in IT, and some accounting assistance, but mostly I focused on administration.
I wanted to change to cyber security because I love a challenge. When you face challenges, you grow. There’s always something new to learn in this industry.

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What advice would you give to someone just starting the course?

Please ask questions when things get difficult. When times are challenging or when you don’t understand something, don’t be shy, ask for help. Rely on your community. Use all the resources available within CAPSLOCK — there are so many.
You don’t need to be perfect. It’s all about learning. It’s not about mastering a single topic straight away but about making progress as you go. So, I’d say: be patient, know why you joined, keep going, and make the most of the support and resources available to you.
I’m sure you’ll find, as I did, that it’s incredibly rewarding at the end of the course. It really does make you a different person and not just in terms of cyber security skills, but in your mindset and confidence too.

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✅ Ready to start your cyber security career?

• Apply today and join the next cohort of cyber security professionals.