Emma O’Keeffe is an associate in the cybersecurity and privacy team in PwC, based in the PwC Cork office. Following her graduation from BSc Accounting and MSc Information Systems for Business Performance (ISBP) in UCC, Emma pursued the graduate programme offered by the PwC cybersecurity and privacy team in Cork, where she has been working for nearly two years.
Here, she details her career journey to date.
Like every college student in the September of their final college year, reality set in — I have to get a job for next year! My criteria was simple enough: Cork-based (I love Cork), technology and business related role, nice culture, and good opportunities for learning and growth.
With that in mind, and having attended numerous career fairs and college talks, as well as speaking to everyone and anyone about their job, I knew my next move — I wanted to apply for a PwC Cybersecurity and Privacy Consulting graduate role. I had always known about PwC and had heard great things. A number of my friends and family were working in PwC and loved it — it was a no-brainer really.
I wouldn’t say my route to the Cybersecurity and Privacy Team in PwC was particularly conventional. When I was in school I always knew I wanted to do something in business and the BSc Accounting degree in UCC seemed like the best fit.
In March of the third year of my Accounting degree, Covid set in! While sitting at home being absolutely bored from being cooped up in the house, I (like just about everyone else on this planet) decided to take up a new hobby, and that hobby was coding. I started with a basic course, then got interested and pursued other courses and so on and so on… suddenly I loved technology… who knew?!
This propelled me into doing a Masters course in UCC called Information Systems for Business Performance (MSc ISBP). I had found a course that linked my love of technology and business, needless to say… I absolutely loved it. I had already found a course that fits the bill of technology and business, surely I could find a job that would do the same?
That’s when Cybersecurity and Privacy Consulting in PwC came into the frame. It had that element of helping businesses in tandem with the technology aspect … perfect right? Having researched the role, I knew I’d be helping clients from different industries, in so many different facets of cybersecurity as well as privacy — be it enhancing incident response capabilities, helping clients comply with new regulations, cloud security, threat and vulnerability management and more. Also, cybersecurity and privacy are such hot topics at the moment!
Self confidence is something I would have struggled with, but what I completely underestimated is that a desire to learn, along with the support systems in place in PwC are so powerful. The reality is if you are interested enough in something, you will naturally be willing to work hard at it and PwC are so supportive in helping you achieve your goals.
PwC supports graduates from the outset by delivering really engaging onboarding training and the support doesn’t stop there! I’ve had the opportunity to complete courses and obtain certifications relating to really hot topics including AI, third party risk management, cloud security and more. I definitely wouldn’t have thought that I could get involved in so many interesting areas so quickly.
No two days (or weeks for that matter!) are the same. Consulting is very much project-based, which is what makes it such an interesting and dynamic role. What’s great about working with PwC is that we operate an “empowered working day”, therefore some weeks I might work from home or from client site if needed. Having said that, I can give you a few consistencies in my typical day.
I start off by going to the office in One Albert Quay (picking my coffee up on the way of course). I make my way up to sit with my colleagues in our new Cyber Managed Services Centre, recently launched in May of this year. The Centre initially focuses on two key areas: Third Party Risk Management to help companies minimise the cyber risks associated with outsourcing to third-party vendors or service providers; and Privacy Managed Services to provide companies with outsourced solutions for a variety of privacy operations and compliance services.
I then have a meeting with my project team to understand what needs to be completed for the day. Throughout the day I also do internal work; be it business development or graduate onboarding etc, and am also given the opportunity to upskill by pursuing relevant certifications. For example, this quarter I completed a certification in third party risk management.
There are often events happening in the office, such as Women in Tech events, Mental Health Awareness events and more. My day is always peppered with impromptu coffee catch ups, water cooler conversations, a top quality lunch in the new canteen (that has a brilliant view I might add), cyber bakeoff (yes we do a bakeoff) and oftentimes a social event after work; be it go-karting, a harbour cruise etc.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of both cybersecurity and privacy projects, with Public and Private sector clients in a diverse range of industries. I’ve worked on projects relating to incident response, cyber strategy & architecture, governance, risk and compliance (including work around new regulations such as the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and NIS 2), privacy and more.
One project that I found particularly interesting was testing a client’s Incident Response capabilities by developing a simulated crisis scenario (e.g. a data breach that takes down their IT system). The client then had to take action to mitigate the damage of the simulated crisis.
The projects I’ve been part of have been really interesting for so many reasons. There is so much client interaction and I’ve been able to gain insights into how cybersecurity and privacy is done in various organisations. I’m looking forward to seeing what future projects I’ll be part of, especially given the recent launch of our new Cyber Managed Services Centre which adds an extra degree of excitement.
Be keen to learn and don’t be afraid to take a step out of your comfort zone for something you’re interested in.
For the interview, do the basic things right. Have your CV up to date, do your research, think about the type of questions you may be asked, have a really good understanding of the role, and really paint a picture of how you as an individual are the right fit for the role and for PwC. PwC are not expecting you to be experts, but what they are looking for is those transferable skills and a learning mindset.
Having good soft skills, including communication skills, and technical skills is great for this role but my top three key skills and capabilities would be:
- Desire to learn
- Willingness to be a team player
- Ability to adapt and embrace a challenge
The best thing about joining a graduate programme at PwC is that you are presented with a huge variety of options. There are times where it can be a steep learning curve, but the support system is there. You will have a career coach and a buddy who have more than likely been in your place only a few years ago. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to speak up when you have ideas or improvements. People really want to hear what you have to say.
People are so friendly, approachable, willing to give a helping hand and it would honestly lift your mood. I think what makes it so special is that there are people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life and we all gel so well together. We always have great fun in the office, have lots of events and socials going on, and we’re all there for one another. I can honestly say some of my best friends are my work friends.
I absolutely love what I do. I love the field I’m in. I love the people I work with. I enjoy going to work in the morning which is something I’m delighted to be able to say. Working with PwC offers so many opportunities, be it progressing in PwC Ireland or pursuing a secondment in a PwC office in another country.
The role and area I’m working in is constantly changing and I am always having to keep up to date with emerging trends which in turn presents new opportunities. It was great to see the recent expansion of our team in Cork along with the launch of our new Cyber Managed Services Centre, and I look forward to seeing what new opportunities that will bring. I do like to take things day by day and see where I land because if you had asked me this question five years ago, there is no way I would have seen myself being where I am today.
I’m going to Salou next week so I can let you know after that whether it makes the list!
Summer is sweet for all things sport, so I’m looking forward to watching the Euros and the Olympics in particular (maybe a bit of Wimbledon on the side!)
I have so, so many but I do like a cheeseburger and chips!
For more information about PwC’s graduate roles, visit pwc.ie/graduate
