The Munster Technological University Faculty of Engineering & Science Awards recognise and celebrate students who have shown academic excellence throughout the year. This year, Cyber Skills honours four students who excelled in their chosen pathway.

One of those four students is Garrett Downey who shares his experience of studying Secure Network Operations with Cyber Skills and the value of the pathway to him both personally and professionally.

"With a strong background in Technical Support, I decided to pivot into cybersecurity to help protect modern infrastructures from modern evolving threats. I discovered Cyber Skills through NewsTalk radio, and after exploring the course offerings, I found that the Secure Network Operations pathway perfectly aligned with my career goals and interests. 

The course’s modules - covering risk management, securing network services, implementing firewalls and IDS/IPS, and expert log analysis - offered exactly the knowledge and skills I needed to make this shift. The online distance learning format was ideal for balancing my studies with other commitments. 

One of the standout features of the course was the access to the Cyber Range, where I could put theory into practice, honing my skills in a safe, simulated environment. This hands-on experience was invaluable in solidifying my understanding of the concepts taught, and building confidence in applying them to real-world scenarios. 

Completing the Secure Network Operations course has already positively impacted my career. Motivated by this success, I have since started an MSc in Cybersecurity at MTU to deepen my expertise further and continue advancing in the information security field. This journey has been transformative, reinforcing my passion for cybersecurity and my commitment to safeguarding today’s digital landscapes."