This Cyber Security Action Month, Defence is highlighting the role we can all play in staying secure online while recognising the personnel who work every day to protect Defence’s digital environment.
Flying Officer Jiya Chauhan, a cyber warfare officer at the Defence Security Operations Centre in Cyber Operations Division, is one of those personnel helping defend Defence networks against evolving cyber threats.
Flying Officer Chauhan joined the Australian Defence Force in 2023 and began a Bachelor of Computing and Cyber Security at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
Drawn to the cyber domain by its uncertainty and potential, Flying Officer Chauhan said the constantly evolving nature of the profession was what made it so appealing.
“What excites me most about this career is that the learning never stops,” Flying Officer Chauhan said.
“The cyber domain is constantly changing, requiring individuals to remain adaptable, think critically and stay ahead of emerging threats.”
In her current role, Flying Officer Chauhan leads the Threat Hunt and Detection Engineering teams, working to identify, detect and respond to cyber threats targeting Defence networks and information systems.
‘The cyber domain is constantly changing, requiring individuals to remain adaptable, think critically and stay ahead of emerging threats.’
While the role demands a combination of technical expertise, critical thinking and collaboration to protect Defence systems from malicious activity, Flying Officer Chauhan said the people she works with make the experience particularly rewarding.
“Working alongside highly skilled and dedicated professionals to tackle real-world cyber challenges, share knowledge and develop solutions collectively has been incredibly rewarding,” Flying Officer Chauhan said.
“Cyber is often perceived as a highly technical field, but I’ve learned that success is just as dependent on people, communication and collaboration as it is on technical expertise.”
As Cyber Security Action Month raises awareness of cyber threats, Flying Officer Chauhan said cyber security was a shared responsibility that extended beyond specialist cyber teams.
“The best thing people can do is stay vigilant and practise good cyber hygiene every day,” she said.
“Simple actions such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, being cautious of suspicious emails or messages and keeping devices updated can significantly reduce cyber risks.”
As Cyber Security Action Month continues, the experiences of personnel like Flying Officer Chauhan highlight the importance of a collective approach to cyber security, with Defence personnel and Australians alike contributing to a more secure digital environment.
