Cybersecurity, a sector where dull days don't exist
Emma O’Keeffe, who loves her role as an associate in the Cybersecurity & Privacy Practice with PwC Ireland. Photo: Gerard McCarthy
Emma O’Keeffe admits that she didn’t travel the traditional route to her present position as an associate in the Cybersecurity & Privacy Practice with PwC Ireland.
“I actually studied Accounting in UCC as my undergraduate degree, which is a pretty unconventional route to cyber security. For the first 2.5 years of college, I was set on an accounting career until Covid struck. Like many others, I started thinking about my long-term career goals and decided to pursue a Masters in Information Systems for Business Performance at UCC.”
This is when cybersecurity came into the frame, she recalls: “I distinctly remember there was a lot of talk around some high profile cyberattacks that had occurred at that time, and I was given assignments around analysing the attacks that occurred. It became very clear to me — just the scale and importance of cybersecurity. It was the idea of helping organisations and ultimately making a difference to people’s lives that struck a chord with me.”
Given how cybersecurity has become such a hot topic in recent years, Emma arrived into a exciting and fast-moving sector during a period of global growth.
“As a graduate, I am getting such exposure and opportunities to learn at PwC and really get to grips with the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape,” she explains. “No two days are the same, which I love. I am constantly getting opportunities to collaborate with clients and also learn a huge amount from my peers.
"We recently launched a Cyber Managed Services centre in PwC Cork which provides Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) and Data Privacy services which has given me the opportunity to work on client projects in these areas. We regularly host events in the Centre so I get exposure to industry experts and learn from them on a regular basis.”
She references the emergence of new cyber regulations at the moment — including NIS2, DORA and EU AI Act. “And of course Generative AI. With the ubiquity of GenAI, it is presenting some really interesting opportunities and challenges in the world of cybersecurity. We are constantly innovating and finding new and exciting ways for clients to harness the power of AI but also to protect them against the danger it can present. It’s all about doing it safely and securely. Safe to say it’s keeping us busy,” she adds.
Going into any new job can be a daunting experience, but Emma’s transition from college to PwC has been well-mentored and seamless.
“The perks of joining a firm like PwC are evident in how they integrate new graduates into the firm and provide the tools needed to set everyone up for success. From simple things like coaches and buddies to formal training programmes, everything has helped with my transition from college to the working world. I never felt daunted settling into my role because I knew early on that I could ask questions or share my thoughts. And I am constantly learning.”
In a job which presents different and varied challenges every week, she thrives on a role that is dynamic and interesting.
“Challenges present themselves on a daily basis but this is what makes it such an exciting area. Even when challenges present themselves, I’ve a brilliant team to lean on and learn from. Exploring new technologies is definitely one of the coolest aspects of the job. PwC has alliances with various technology providers such as Microsoft. As a team we are constantly encouraged to keep up with emerging tech and upskill accordingly. We are provided with the opportunity to do various certifications. For example, I’ve completed certs in OneTrust, Microsoft and more.”
The work is very much team-oriented, which suits her well: “Naturally when I first joined PwC, I was slightly worried about how I’d fit into my new team. However, I quickly realised there was no need to worry whatsoever. My direct team is based across Cork and Dublin, and we have a great social aspect. I’m so fortunate that I get to learn new skills from my teammates, lean on their areas of expertise, and work with people from completely different backgrounds to my own.
"We have such a strong support network and when challenges do come up we tackle them together. I really enjoy the social elements of our team. We have fun with cyber bakeoffs, various social events, team coffees, our annual conference and more.”
Fortunate to work on many different projects across both cybersecurity and privacy, Emma is currently making full use of PwC’s cyber-managed services centre and getting to grips with Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) projects.
“My team is conducting reviews of the client’s current TPRM programme in order to enhance existing practices to align with relevant regulatory requirements and industry best practices. We are also conducting assessments of the client’s third parties to understand the risk they pose. I’m using various cool technologies to conduct assessments, create dynamic dashboards for reporting and more.”
The team are also leveraging tools to conduct real-time monitoring to allow the client to have full visibility of third-party security posture and receive notification of potential vulnerabilities.
“This project is giving me the opportunity to improve my skills as I work with various technologies, liaise with stakeholders, and ultimately provide a more secure environment for the client.
Working in cybersecurity is definitely Emma’s plan for the foreseeable future.
“I like the idea of keeping people and businesses safe and secure and making a difference to people’s lives. It’s an area that really matters," she says.
"It’s a dynamic work environment and to my memory so far I have not had a ‘dull day’ since I started. I’m constantly learning new things not only about the industry but about myself and what I'm capable of. I am always being stretched but in a good way.”
And her advice to graduates interested in this burgeoning sector?
“It’s a brilliant time for graduates to join the cybersecurity world. We know cyberattacks are more prevalent than ever. Also, the factors I mentioned earlier — new regulations, the ubiquity of AI — means it’s a very hot space to be in right now.”
Emma's advice to anyone looking to break into this space would be:
Improve your technical skills by pursuing cybersecurity certifications and develop your soft skills e.g., communication etc. Also, get to grips with AI and GenAI.
Look into existing cybersecurity resources such as best practice documentation and research relevant cybersecurity regulations
Don’t underestimate your ability to learn. There are lots of different areas of cybersecurity, there is much to learn. Also, don’t forget your network, making contacts is really important and will also drive your opportunities in the future.
