In conversation: Daniela Wollmarker

The Master’s student talks about her journey into cyber security, staying calm during security incidents – and what a treasure hunt has to do with it.

— Daniela, why did you decide to do the Master’s degree in Cyber Security?

I’ve always been interested in IT security. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Systems Management, I initially started a Master’s degree in IT, but then switched to Cyber Security because the subject matter appealed to me even more. I haven’t regretted that decision, and I’ll be finishing my degree this autumn.

— You’re working whilst studying: what’s your typical working day like?

I actually joined Red Bull right at the start of my bachelor’s degree, about nine years ago, through the ‘study.work.support’ programme (sws) run by the Department of Information Technologies, whilst studying. The SWS programme was a real door-opener and proved beneficial for both sides. I’ve now been working in the security team for about a year and a half. There, I spend a lot of time on monitoring, am getting involved in forensics to some extent, and build dashboards that visualise the system. My degree has helped me to better understand the interconnections within the company, particularly how security incidents arise and how to prevent them.

— Have you ever had any personal experience of cyberattacks?

In a professional context, it happens very regularly; phishing and compromised accounts, for example, are everyday issues. In my private life, I’ve been lucky so far and have been spared any major incidents. However, my studies have made me much more vigilant. At the same time, I’m less anxious because I know how to react properly in an emergency.

— How realistic was the crisis management exercise during your degree?

Very realistic. I’m familiar with these situations from real-world experience – for instance, when you have to analyse complex incidents in a structured way and explain them clearly to senior management. It is precisely this approach – identifying the root cause of a problem, deriving appropriate measures and communicating them clearly – that is practised in the exercise. Despite my experience, it was exciting because we had to find solutions under time pressure in a new network environment. It was almost like a digital scavenger hunt for IT security, and that added a bit of a thrill too.

— Who would you recommend the Cyber Security degree to?

For anyone who wants to understand how to protect systems and stay at the cutting edge in an extremely dynamic field. Security requires curiosity, the ability to cope with pressure and the determination to keep developing your skills. The thrill of the job – just like in a drill – is definitely part of the package. A background in IT – particularly in network technology – certainly helps, but you can also start as a career changer if you have the necessary motivation.

What does security mean to you personally, Daniela Wollmarker?

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