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About the Job
As a Cyber Analyst, you will join the Army through the Cyber Specialist pathway. Cyber Specialists are streamed into a specific role as they progress through training. Allocation is based on preference, existing qualifications, performance and availability of positions.
Cyber Analysts are members of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs). RA Sigs conduct cyber and electromagnetic activities using advanced information and communication technologies. Their ultimate goal is to defend our systems and networks and gain advantage in cyber and electromagnetic combat.
Cyberspace is a dynamic and complex area of combat that demands agility and flexibility. As a Cyber Analyst it will be your job to provide swift and precise solutions to identify and defend against cyber threats.
You’ll integrate with joint, agency, inter-governmental and multi-national organisations to support combined arms operations. This means operating at tactical, operational and strategic levels, and conducting cyber activities to defend and assure the integrity of our systems.
Here’s what you’ll need as a Cyber Analyst:
The right mind:
- The ability to learn rapidly and find solutions under pressure
- Insatiable curiosity and a passion for problem solving
- A logical, analytical and objective mind
- High-level communication skills, both written and oral
- Situational and cultural awareness
- The ability to deal with unpredictable circumstances in an asymmetric battlespace
The right attitude:
- A strong commitment to and ability to work in a team
- The willingness to handle and protect classified information sensitive to national interests
- The willingness to take immediate action on information about potentially life-threatening situations
The Cyber Analyst is the base trade of the cyber warfare field and operates a large range of complex state-of-the-art ICT. As a Cyber Analyst you’ll work in a broad range of field and office environments as part of a dedicated team.
Following your initial military and employment training, the first position for a Cyber Analyst is typically a tactical unit, where you will support exercises and operations around Australia. This will allow you to work in a small mobile team while you receive mentoring and support from more experienced Cyber Analysts.
From there you may have the opportunity to either support Special Forces or strategic agencies. The strategic posting is located in Canberra where you will work alongside Australian Defence Force and Australian Public Service personnel in support of national strategic interests. Whatever your position, you will operate the latest in ICT and will have countless opportunities to continue to learn in this exciting role.
Throughout your career as a Cyber Analyst you will be required to excel in one or more specialisations and will attend a wide range of specialist courses. Most involve identifying, analysing and responding to unknown malicious cyber activity in various forms using state-of-the-art ICT and analytical devices. You may have the opportunity to undertake additional study at suitable Tertiary and/or other Agencies, both domestic and overseas, in order to further expand your skill sets.
In-Service Information
This role is known as Cyber Operator within the Army.
Employment Category Number (ECN): 664
Employment Category: Combat Support
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Join the ADF with appropriate high school passes
Key Information
Preparing for Your Recruitment Process
This document provides information that will assist applicants for roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force, including details about the recruitment process, how to prepare yourself for assessment, and what to expect if you are successful in joining the Australian Defence Force.
Salary & Allowances
In the Army you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training.
In addition to your salary you'll receive a variety of allowances, extra pay for relevant qualifications – plus 16.4% superannuation, a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.
For more details download our
Salary Scales.
Locations
Cyber Analysts are employed in a number of specialist units throughout Australia. Main posting localities are 7 Signals Regiment in Cabarlah, QLD and Simpson Barracks, VIC, the Defence Force School of Signals, VIC and also in Canberra, ACT.
Requirements
Age
Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and able to complete the Initial Minimum Period of Service before reaching Compulsory Retirement Age (60).
Applicants will not be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age.
Education & Experience
Preference will be given to applicants who display skills and a demonstrable interest and relevant experience in ICT, as well as having potentially completed appropriate industry certification. However, the minimum standard remains an Australian Year 10 (or equivalent) with passes in English and Mathematics.
Medical & Fitness
To be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry into your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed through completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
Additional Requirements:
Cyber Analyst category applicants are not required to undertake the current Defence language aptitude assessment. This will be conducted as and when required for members applying for long language courses.
Period of Service
You will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of six years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding Initial Minimum Period of Service obligation.
Your Careers Coach can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation.
Aptitude
The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete a further evaluation at a later date.
The JOA is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Further information about the JOA can be found in the Guide to the Job Opportunities Assessment for the ADF.
To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in the Job Opportunities Assessment and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment Example Questions.
Citizenship
To serve in the ADF you must be an Australian Citizen.
If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary deferral of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian Citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.
Find out more in our Citizenship page or ask your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre.
Security Requirements
The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have security clearances appropriate to their employment.
A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.
Required information includes:
- Residence
- Employment
- Education
- Credit
The minimum-security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 2 (NVL2). The clearance process is lengthy (usually between 12-18 months) and by necessity, detailed and intrusive.
Applicants should be aware that to be granted this level of clearance, they should have lived in Australia for at least ten years. Applicants should also be aware that any lengthy overseas stay during this period could make security checking difficult. Such difficulty may result in a conclusion that it is not possible to adequately check someone's background, thereby disqualifying them from being considered for employment in this occupation.
In the event that a NVL2 security clearance is not achieved, members will be directed to select an alternate Corps or trade they were deemed suitable for during the recruiting process. Members may have the option of applying for a Trade Transfer to Cyber Analyst after having served a minimum period of 24 months in their alternate Corps.
In addition to gaining a NVL2 clearance, to undertake some roles members may be required to complete an Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA) and be required to gain a Top-Secret clearance prior to promotion.
Cyber Analysts must be able to maintain their NVL2 security clearance for the duration of service in this category.
NOTE: The security clearance is critical to an applicants' successful progression through the Army training system. If an applicant is unable to obtain the required security clearance in time, they will not be allowed to continue their training and may need to be re-allocated to another employment category. As such, it is strongly recommended that all applicants obtain the required documentation as soon as possible to provide the best opportunity to be employed in their preferred employment category.
Training
Military Training
As a General Entry recruit, you’ll be required to complete the Recruit Course.
Army Recruit Course
Duration: Approximately 12 weeks.
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Duration: Approximately 12 weeks.
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
During training, you will take part in physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have achieved. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
For more information, visit Soldier Training at Kapooka.
Employment Training
The majority of Army communications personnel receive their communications training at the Defence Force School of Signals (DFSS) in Macleod, VIC. You won’t find a technical and communication school with a better teacher to student ratio, or better equipment and facilities than the DFSS. The school is dedicated to giving you the best technical and communications qualification possible.
The outcome is that you’ll have an edge in life and likely be assured of success in whatever employment category you choose. Unlike any other school of its kind, you will be paid while you learn, and will be guaranteed a job when you graduate.
As you’ll be trained as a soldier as well as a qualified technician, you’ll develop a wide range of additional skills including self-discipline, confidence and a real sense of leadership.
Common Signals Training Course
Duration: 54 Days.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.
Location of Training: Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks, Macleod, VIC.
This course provides foundation knowledge of Corps history, and gives you the basic skills to operate common in-service Communication, Information Systems and Electronic Warfare (CISEW) equipment. This course also serves to qualify graduates as basic combat communicators, operate basic in-service power generation equipment and progress to subsequent courses.
Following Common Signals Training at DFSS you will undergo Basic Cyber Course employment training as follows:
Basic Cyber Training Course
Duration: 42 weeks, not including weekends.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.
Location of Training:Whilst managed by Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks, Macleod, VIC 3085 training will be led by an established University, College or Institute – still to be confirmed. This training will provide applicants with the foundation skills and knowledge to prepare them to undergo specific training in a range of defensive cyber operation roles.
Further Training
Later in your career you may have the opportunity to undertake employment training in a range of courses designed to challenge and extend applicants. These rewarding roles will allow you to become fully employed in a range of roles that will allow you to undertake cyber activities not available to the civilian ICT community.