Geraldine Tu did not plan a career in cybersecurity. Before this, she was working in science comics. The move was not a grand decision so much as a spark of curiosity.
“It wasn’t a deliberate choice to go into cybersecurity. It was an introduction that got me interested. I thought, oh, this is quite fun.”
Today she works in cyber defence, and the part of the job she enjoys is the investigation itself.
“My role is to help defend our network. I personally like the investigation and research, looking at logs for sources of infection or compromise.”
Learning the why, not just the how
What kept her engaged was understanding the reasoning behind the techniques, not just memorising steps.
“There’s a lot of learning, not just techniques, but understanding why things happen.”
She credits the realistic, scenario-based approach for making the learning stick. Cybersecurity can come across as dry, but practising on situations that mirror real life is what changes that.
“CFCI has a lot of scenarios, because they mimic real situations. Even now, while doing the work, there are times I think, oh yes, I’ve actually done something similar before. It’s not just learning from lecture books or theory, it’s knowing how to do things hands-on.”
She is also quick to point out that the people skills matter.
“It’s not just the technical skills. The soft skills are important too.”
Her message to anyone hesitating
Geraldine’s advice is brief and generous.
“Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from continuing your journey.”
For a fuller picture of what a career switch into cybersecurity looks like — from first steps to landing a role — see our guide to switching into cybersecurity in Singapore.
If a spark of curiosity is all you have right now, that is enough to begin. Start with a free info session and the free experiential workshop, where you can try the investigative side of the work for yourself. The flagship Career Kickstart programme builds the rest.
Most of our graduates who secured cyber roles had no prior IT background. To meet more people who made the switch, browse our graduate stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cybersecurity a good career for women in Singapore?
Yes. Cybersecurity needs a range of perspectives, and the work rewards curiosity, careful investigation and clear communication rather than any particular background. More women are entering the field, often from non-technical starting points, and finding roles in defence, analysis and consulting.
Do you need to be highly technical to enjoy cybersecurity?
Not to start. A lot of the work is investigative and analytical: understanding why something happened, not just how. Hands-on training builds the technical skills over time, while soft skills like communication and reasoning matter just as much on the job.