Kenneth Wong had spent a few years in finance when the work started to feel mundane and his progression stalled. He had spent a long time looking for something he could genuinely care about.
“It was only when I stumbled upon cybersecurity that it drew me in and made me realise what I actually wanted to do.”
Like a lot of people, Kenneth assumed cybersecurity meant coding all day. The free experiential workshop changed his mind before he committed to anything.
“The workshop let me get some hands-on experience before I took the plunge. That’s when I realised it’s actually pretty interesting, and it’s not all about coding like I thought.”
Trainers who felt like a 24/7 help desk
What stood out once Kenneth started the programme was the support. He was never stuck alone with a problem.
“It felt like I had a 24/7 help desk whenever I needed help with coursework. And there wasn’t just one trainer, there were several I could reach out to.”
The training is built around realistic practice rather than theory. Kenneth points to the capture-the-flag style scenarios as the moment it felt real.
“There were scenarios that felt very close to real life. If there’s a hacker somewhere, you have to delve into the logs and work out where they are. It’s almost like detective work, and to me that’s really interesting.”
A community, not just a course
Coming from a background with barely any cybersecurity professionals in his circle, the people Kenneth met mattered as much as the curriculum. His cohort still keeps in touch.
“We still recommend each other jobs, update each other on industry news, and help each other out. At least I know I’m not on this cybersecurity journey alone.”
What Kenneth would tell you
Kenneth is now a cybersecurity engineer, and clear about how the switch has changed things for him.
“Take the plunge. I’m a lot happier in my cybersecurity role than I was in accounting. People want fulfilment in their professional lives too, and that’s what this gave me.”
If you recognise that feeling of stalled progression, the path Kenneth took starts with a free info session and the free experiential workshop, so you can test the work before deciding. The flagship Career Kickstart programme then builds the skills from first principles.
80% of graduates who completed the full programme and career services secured cybersecurity employment (as of early 2026), and 75% of graduates who secured cyber roles had no prior IT background. If you are weighing up the move more broadly, our mid-career switch into cybersecurity guide covers the full roadmap — funding, roles, and what the journey looks like for people coming from non-IT backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cybersecurity all about coding?
No. A lot of cybersecurity work is investigative: reading logs, spotting unusual behaviour, and reasoning about how an attack unfolded. Some scripting helps, but many roles, especially in a security operations centre, reward structured thinking and curiosity more than heavy programming.
Can you switch into cybersecurity from a finance or accounting background?
Yes. Finance and accounting build exactly the habits cybersecurity rewards: attention to detail, methodical analysis and following a trail of evidence. Most of our graduates who secured cyber roles had no prior IT background, and the technical skills are taught from the ground up.