To provide hands-on experience and deeper insights into the critical field of cybersecurity, the School of Computing (SoC) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) organised an industrial visit to the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Cyberjaya.

On September 5th, 2024, 40 students specialising in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence embarked on this immersive visit. It offered them a valuable opportunity to explore the industry, career prospects, and the advanced tools used to safeguard the digital world.

“We aim to enhance students’ understanding of real-world applications and career opportunities in cybersecurity, preparing them for the dynamic challenges in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence,” explained Assistant Professor Ts Dr Maythem Kamal Abbas Al-Adilee, who organised the visit.

The students were warmly welcomed by Mr Lee Han Ther (CISSP), Director of the Centre of Excellence, and Ms Ezzah Khan, Education Programmes Registrar. They set a positive tone for the day, expressing their excitement to engage with the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

The visit began with an informative career talk by Mr Lee and Ms Jaclyn Sim (CISSP), Principal Cyber Security Trainer. They outlined various career paths within the cybersecurity sector, covering ethical hacking, data protection, threat intelligence, and network security. The speakers also emphasised the essential skills and certifications needed to excel in these roles, particularly highlighting the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals worldwide. AI's role in cybersecurity was a key focus, showcasing how it enhances threat detection and response systems.

After the talk, students toured the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, where they were introduced to cutting-edge tools and techniques used to combat cyber threats. This behind-the-scenes tour provided a glimpse into BlackBerry’s advanced systems for protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

In the afternoon, the students participated in an interactive Cybersecurity Awareness Training led by Mr Lee and Ms Jaclyn. This hands-on session allowed students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, learning both offensive and defensive techniques for managing cyberattacks. The session deepened their understanding of cybersecurity challenges and equipped them with practical skills to tackle digital threats. At the end of the training, students received Certificates of Completion for completing the “BlackBerry Security Awareness Training.”

Students expressed that the career talk gave them a clearer understanding of the diverse opportunities within the cybersecurity field and found the practical advice from industry experts invaluable. They appreciated how the training session applied classroom concepts to real-world scenarios, describing the experience as both exciting and educational.

This industrial visit provided APU’s cybersecurity and AI students with a comprehensive understanding of the current cybersecurity landscape and the skills required to thrive in this ever-evolving field. The combination of the career talk, centre tour, and awareness training left the students feeling inspired, well-informed, and ready to take on future challenges in the cybersecurity industry.