Mariya Novakova
Ask me about
- How did I get into cyber security
- How to prepare for a job interview
- What a day in my role looks like
About me
- International Experience
If someone had told me in high school where I’d end up, I would have laughed. I was born in Bulgaria (Eastern Europe), and my childhood was marked by very rough economic and political conditions in the country. At school I was very diligent and always striving to do well academically. I attended a specialised high school with major in Maths, Physics and Information Technology, then went on to study a computer engineering degree at university. I got married while at university and had my first baby at the age of 24.
I immigrated to Sydney in late 2013 with my husband and child, while 6 months pregnant with my second baby, and with no job or house. When my baby was nearly one, I enrolled in an advanced diploma course (IT Business Analysis) at TAFE NSW, while my husband was also studying and working full time. Soon after graduating with distinction, I started working full time. After 8 years in Sydney, we moved to Brisbane in 2021 and went through all the pleasantries that Covid and closed borders presented. Fast forward, I absolutely love the lifestyle we have established for ourselves.
About my role
- Analytical
- Creative
- Logical
- Observant
- Resourceful
- Understanding
Cyber Security Risk Advisors are involved in several main work streams. A big part of the daily job requires reviewing different technology solutions to assess the level of risk they may carry from a cyber security perspective. Those solutions may include anything that any business area is planning to use. It could be very specific systems and devices which support our various mining operations, such as ships, autonomous vehicles, radio systems, through to the more general ones such as HR systems, survey tools, bots, etc. A Cyber Risk Advisor also performs a more in-depth analysis of a whole site, which could be a mine, a refinery, a smelter, etc. This work requires a thorough understanding of the business process in order to determine which systems support those processes and how to keep them safe from cybercriminals.
Education
- Bachelor Degree in Computer Science
- Advanced Diploma in IT Business Analysis
- TOGAF Certified Professional
- Certified Information Security Manager
Subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Digital Design/Information Technology
- English
- Geography
- Health and Human Development
- History
- Languages
Hobbies
- Cooking
- Pilates
- Reading
- Travel
Pets
- 1 Dog
15 year old me!!
My career journey
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Didn't get my first choice at university, went ahead with second choice
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Started my first job at a help desk for Coca Cola
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Immigrated to Australia
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A supportive manager steered and supported my career
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Moved to Brisbane and began working for Rio Tinto
My typical day
My employer
