CYBERJAYA – Cybersecurity does not always have to be a highly technical field to get into. In fact, industry experts say acquiring basic cybersecurity knowledge can unlock career opportunities and offer better digital protection in everyday life.
Jaclyn Sim, senior manager of cybersecurity technical training at the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCOE), said many in the workforce, particularly women, shy away from cybersecurity, often due to misconceptions about the field being too technical or inaccessible.
“I see a lot of women here, and I know many of them want to get into cybersecurity. But I also hear from women and the underprivileged that they don’t have the financial capacity, or they think it’s too technical for them,” she said.
“There seem to be a lot of barriers preventing them from pursuing cybersecurity. I felt compelled to do something – to show them these hurdles can be overcome. And if I can, I want to smooth the road for them.
“I’ve even spoken to people in HR who say they still want to learn about cybersecurity.”
She explained that at CCOE, especially in their beginner courses, the approach is deliberately non-technical.
“Cybersecurity isn’t just about being technical, it’s about knowing what it is and how to protect what matters most to you.”
Jaclyn was speaking as a panellist during the session Cybersecurity for All: Pathways, People and Possibilities, in conjunction with the first anniversary of the Malaysia CCOE.
She was joined by Trish Dyl, director of skill development and international programmes at Rogers Cyber Secure Catalyst; Tan Zhon Teck, president of ISC2 Malaysia Chapter; and Christine Gadsby, VP and CISO of BlackBerry Secure Communications.
Driven by the success she and her team have seen at CCOE, Jaclyn hopes to continue inspiring not just women, but also underprivileged groups and students.
“Our trainers keep it engaging and relatable so that people can begin to understand cybersecurity basics – like what a firewall is. The feedback from learners keeps me going. It tells me there is a path for everyone, and I want to help build it.”
Yesterday, during the first panel session, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) commissioner Derek Fernandez, who also chairs the commission’s Online Harms and Information Security Committee, highlighted the importance of equipping the public sector with up-to-date cybersecurity skills. He also spoke about ongoing collaborations with BlackBerry and EC-Council to expand access.
As part of this effort, all government-sector participants are eligible to enrol in free cybersecurity courses offered at the CCOE. – May 9, 2025