CIT Cyber graduates go from the lab into business

A group of Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) cyber graduates have formed their own cyber security business, BaraSOC, and are now developing services and facilities to help smaller businesses prepare for challenges in the digital world.

The students met while studying a Certificate IV in Cyber Security (C4-BD30). The BaraSOC team members, including CIT teacher Dr Waqas Haider who is acting as manager and mentor, are volunteering their time until the business generates a cash flow. "Our focus now is on building our individual and collective capabilities. We are working to establish BaraSOC as a middleman with the ability to source the right people for various projects," Dr Waqas said.

One company founder, Hamid Waqas, said it all started when members of the team were studying in the cyber labs at CIT. "We noticed there was plenty of work in this industry. We discussed the idea with Dr Waqas and he mentored us through the process of establishing a business," Hamid said.

BaraSOC aims to help people understand what skills and capabilities they need to keep their data secure. Hamid said their target market is mostly small and medium businesses, a group that is currently more vulnerable to attack.

The BaraSOC team comes from a diverse range of educational backgrounds. Most have previous IT experience, but some also have qualifications in accounting, business studies, science, psychology and child care. The practical skills and knowledge needed to start their company came predominantly from studying at CIT. "Cyber security is very hands-on, and CIT provides a very hands-on approach to training," Hamid said.

Team members are now keen to use what they learned at CIT to help others. Founding member Greg Haron said the team is now developing cyber security training materials for other students and workers in small business. "Our initial emphasis will be on training, but we have ambitions to expand into other areas," Greg said.

Find out more about Cyber courses on offer at CIT.