Marco Villanueva

“For example, we executed an attack to crash two trains, controlled stop lights and even cut the electricity supply in a hospital. This shows that the TAFE experience was designed in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that all teachings and opportunities are up-to-date and relevant to the needs of the industry.”

Once Villanueva graduates, he hopes to become a cyber security specialist capable of making the virtual world a safer place for organisations and individuals alike. He’s even exploring the idea of flexing his skills in Australia for a few years before returning to his home country.

Marco Villanueva from the Philippines first heard of cyber attacks while travelling in Japan. It was hard to miss, as the data breaches of multinationals were splashed across the media. He knew the only way to help them was by getting a qualification abroad that would perfectly complement his academic background in computer sciences, information sciences and support services.

Only one destination stood out to him. “Australia offers advanced technologies and high-quality education, plus a multicultural society,” says the Certificate IV in Cyber Security student. “Furthermore, TAFE's Southbank campus has advanced facilities, a great location and beautiful spaces to both study and unwind.”

His favourite classes, for their experiential nature, revolve around implementing network security, python programming, and performing cyber security data analysis; but nothing quite comes close to the real-world experience he’s gained outside of classrooms — such as through simulation.