# Task 1: Essential Academic and Employment Skills (Cybersecurity)

## Written Summary (approx. 250 words)

A career in cybersecurity demands more than technical proficiency; it requires a blended skill set that combines hard and soft competencies. Foundational technical knowledge remains essential, including networking protocols, operating systems, and scripting languages such as Python and PowerShell [1]. However, employers increasingly expect graduates to pair this expertise with strong communication skills, since professionals must translate complex vulnerabilities into language non-technical stakeholders can act on [2].

Academic literature supports this view. Ramezan's analysis of over 900 cybersecurity job postings found that industry certifications and prior technical experience were consistently required across sub-fields such as governance, risk and compliance, and penetration testing, alongside soft skills like collaboration and structured reporting [3]. Whitman and Mattord similarly argue that effective information security management depends as much on policy communication and cross-departmental cooperation as on technical control implementation [4].

Generative AI is reshaping the field further. When asked to summarise which competencies matter most for early-career cybersecurity professionals, ChatGPT highlighted adaptability, ethical judgement, and the ability to verify AI-generated security outputs as increasingly important alongside traditional technical skills [5]; this aligns with independent industry findings that hiring priorities are shifting toward candidates who combine core security knowledge with AI literacy [3].

Developing these skills during my studies — through structured referencing, teamwork tasks, and reflective practice — directly supports my transition into a cybersecurity career. Building fluency in both technical fundamentals and professional communication now will make me more competitive for entry-level roles such as security analyst, and will provide the foundation needed to progress toward more specialised or leadership positions later in my career.

*(Insert 1–2 supporting images/figures here, e.g. a diagram of core cybersecurity skill categories or a chart of workforce demand.)*

## Reference List (IEEE)

[1] Bay Atlantic University, "What Employers Look for in Cybersecurity Graduates Today," *Bay Atlantic University Blog*, Apr. 2026. [Online]. Available: https://bau.edu/blog/what-employers-look-for-in-cybersecurity-graduates-today/

[2] Indeed Editorial Team, "12 Must-Have Cybersecurity Skills (And How To Improve Them)," *Indeed Career Guide*, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/cyber-security-skills

[3] C. A. Ramezan, "Examining the Cyber Skills Gap: An Analysis of Cybersecurity Positions by Sub-Field," *Journal of Information Systems Education*, vol. 34, no. 1, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jise/vol34/iss1/8/

[4] M. E. Whitman and H. J. Mattord, *Management of Information Security*, 6th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2021.

[5] OpenAI's ChatGPT, private communication, Jul. 2026.

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## Reflection (approx. 100 words)

*Complete this section after submitting to the Task 1b Turnitin similarity-check link — these details are personal to your submission, so fill them in yourself:*

- **Similarity score:** [insert your %]
- **What it likely came from:** (e.g., matched reference list entries, common phrases, quoted definitions)
- **How to improve it next time:** (e.g., paraphrase more heavily, reduce reliance on direct quotes, check reference list formatting isn't flagged as matching text)
- **Self-assessed mark (using the Generic Assessment Criteria):** [state a % and briefly justify against the 5 criteria — literature engagement, knowledge/understanding, cognitive skills, practical skills, transferable skills]