For Gold Coast student Dylan Wondal, cyber security is not only a passion, but a competitive pursuit.
19-year-old Dylan’s interest in cyber security started in Grade 9, when he stumbled upon TryHackMe – a gamified, hands-on cyber security platform.
“After completing some of the labs, I was hooked and have loved it ever since, especially the offensive security side of cyber,” said Dylan.
“I enjoy the challenge of breaking into systems and how there are countless ways to approach a problem — the complexity and creativity involved make it incredibly fun and rewarding.”
After school, Dylan chose to study a Certificate IV in Cyber Security at TAFE Queensland’s Coomera campus – an important stepping stone into the cyber industry.
“The hands-on projects were invaluable and gave me experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” said Dylan.
“Since I was largely self-taught, the course helped reinforce my existing knowledge and strengthen the foundations I’d already built.”
Thanks to Fee-Free TAFE, Dylan was able to use money he saved on tuition to manage everyday expenses, while accessing high-quality training platforms like TryHackMe and HackTheBox. Dylan one day hopes to put his skills to use working with the Australian Signals Directorate or the Australian Federal Police.
He’s already tested his cyber-sleuthing skills against the nation’s best, taking home Gold in the Cyber Security category at the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Show in Brisbane. “The cyber security industry is constantly evolving, and it’s crucial to stay up to date with new technologies and threats,” said Dylan.
“Events like [WorldSkills] give us the chance to share experiences and learn from one another.”
Explore your options in a cracking career in cyber security.
Last updated 28 August 2025
