Cyber for Everyone: Real Stories, Real Pathways

Cyber London continued its mission to bridge the gap between diverse professional backgrounds and cybersecurity by hosting another impactful event under its CAN (Cyber Access Network) series. Titled “Cyber for Everyone: Real Stories, Real Pathways”, the event welcomed students, professionals, and career changers, offering a refreshing take on how cyber is not confined to IT alone. Instead, it emphasized that cybersecurity thrives on collaboration between people from various domains — be it finance, sales, HR, management, compliance, or criminology.

The session kicked off with opening remarks by Simon Newman, Co-founder of Cyber London, who shed light on Cyber London’s overarching vision — to democratize cybersecurity and make it accessible for everyone. Simon spoke about how Cyber London’s initiatives are strategically designed to create pathways into the cybersecurity space for those who may not have a technical background but bring valuable transferable skills to the table. He underlined the importance of business engagement through the Cyber Access Network, a collaborative initiative to create inclusive cybersecurity opportunities across the UK’s professional landscape.

Simon then welcomed James Battersby, a key representative from UKC3, who delivered the keynote on the Cyber Access Network (CAN). James elaborated on how UKC3 and Cyber London are working hand-in-hand to build a network that connects aspiring professionals with businesses and industry leaders through a combination of webinars, real-world content, and community-driven engagements. He shared how the CAN initiative specifically addresses two distinct groups: university students and professionals from non-cyber backgrounds looking for a career pivot. The initiative includes opportunities such as internship pathways, awareness campaigns, and curated resources designed to tackle the shortage of skilled talent in the cybersecurity workforce. James reiterated the goal of CAN — to offer a clear route into the cybersecurity world for everyone, regardless of their background.

The session then took a deep dive into the real-world side of cybersecurity, with Matthew Eccles from Action Fraud, a division under the UK’s Metropolitan Police that investigates cyber crimes. Matthew delivered a compelling case study on phishing attacks and fraud. The scenario revolved around an elaborate scheme where attackers manipulated businesses into believing their domains had been breached. He walked attendees through the entire process — from the attackers purchasing user data from the dark web, to building phishing pages using tools like SendGrid, and how law enforcement managed to track the perpetrators using their digital footprints, including crypto wallet traces. His session was a practical masterclass in threat intelligence and illustrated the critical role of cybersecurity teams in preventing large-scale fraud.

Next on the agenda was Bryan James, General Manager at TR7 Application Security Platform (ASP). Bryan shared his own journey into cybersecurity, a story that began at an event just like this. His talk focused on the importance of networking and engagement, especially for individuals from non-technical fields. He encouraged attendees to explore cyber roles beyond penetration testing and engineering — such as project management, policy development, compliance, and business operations — emphasizing that cybersecurity is a multi-faceted domain that thrives on diverse input.

The session also welcomed Alexandra Forsyth, a Threat Intelligence Specialist, who shared her unique career journey. With a background in criminology, Alexandra entered cybersecurity through the defensive ‘Blue Team’ route, applying her understanding of human behavior and threat psychology to detect and mitigate cyber threats. She also provided insights into women-led communities in cyber and the growing space for diversity and inclusion in the industry, empowering more women and underrepresented groups to make their mark.

The final speaker lineup included Solmaz Gharoun, Outreach Ambassador of Cyber London, who reinforced the importance of self-presentation and networking. Solmaz offered actionable advice on how to approach potential employers, CEOs, and speakers at events. She shared how she secured internship opportunities and built a strong network by showing initiative and staying active in the cybersecurity community.

Closing out the talks was Professor Raj Rajarajan, Co-founder of Cyber London and a longstanding academic in the cybersecurity space. Raj shared motivating success stories of his students and mentees — individuals who started in unrelated fields and are now thriving in cyber roles. He stressed the value of hands-on experience, urging students to go beyond classroom learning and participate in industry events, projects, and internships. His speech encapsulated the day’s central theme: cybersecurity isn’t just a career path — it’s an evolving landscape with room for everyone.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Simon Newman, followed by the distribution of Cyber London water flasks to all attendees — a small but thoughtful gesture to recognize their participation and encourage continued involvement in future initiatives.