Introduction: A Moment at a Dubai Traffic Light
The scene was ordinary, yet unsettling. I was waiting at a traffic light in Dubai when I noticed a Toyota Pajero next to me. Inside sat a family of five — father, mother, elder daughter, younger daughter, and even the youngest child in the back. All of them were on their phones, screens glowing in unison.
It was a snapshot of our times. Technology, in its purest form, woven into every moment of our daily lives. At first glance, it felt normal. But then, a thought struck me: if our entire world now lives inside these devices, how safe is that world really?
That’s when the importance of cybersecurity became startlingly clear — not as a technical buzzword, but as a shield for ordinary families living ordinary lives.
Technology: The Good and the Bad in One Glance
There’s no denying that technology is both a blessing and a curse.
- The good: It connects families across continents, gives us instant access to information, and drives careers, businesses, and communities forward.
- The bad: It also exposes us to risks we don’t fully see — phishing emails, malware hidden in downloads, and scams designed to look more convincing every day.
Dependence itself isn’t the enemy. But blind dependence is.
How Creative Scammers Are Getting
One of the greatest challenges today is that cybercriminals are no longer relying on the same tricks. They adapt — fast.
Even when governments, companies, and universities educate the public on a particular scam, it doesn’t take long for a new, more creative one to appear. Yesterday it was fake emails pretending to be from your bank. Today it might be a WhatsApp message mimicking your delivery service. Tomorrow? It could be an AI-generated voice note that sounds exactly like your employer or parent, asking you to share urgent information.
The scary part is not just the sophistication of these attacks. It’s how ordinary people, like the family in that Pajero, can be caught off guard in a single distracted moment. A click, a download, or a reply is all it takes for someone to enter your personal space — your phone, your network, even your identity.
Why Cybersecurity Matters to Everyone
For too long, people assumed cybersecurity was only relevant to IT professionals or companies managing sensitive data. But the reality is far wider:
- Families – protecting children from phishing links disguised as games or online shopping scams.
- Professionals – safeguarding work emails and confidential files on laptops and phones.
- Students – defending personal data, university credentials, and financial transactions.
- Governments and Businesses – preventing large-scale breaches that can cost millions and erode public trust.
In a hyper-connected place like Dubai, where digital payments, smart infrastructure, and online services are everyday norms, cybersecurity is not optional. It’s survival.
The Psychology of Scams: Why They Work
Cybercriminals don’t just rely on technology — they rely on human behaviour. They prey on urgency, fear, or excitement:
- “Click here to verify your bank account now.”
- “You’ve won a free flight.”
- “Your friend sent you an urgent message.”
These scams work because they tap into emotions before logic kicks in. That’s why even tech-savvy people sometimes fall for them. The battlefield isn’t just in servers; it’s in our minds.
The Dubai Context: A City Moving at Digital Speed
Dubai is one of the fastest adopters of smart technologies. From paying parking fees with an app to government services available at your fingertips, convenience is everywhere. But so is risk.
Every system that becomes digital also becomes a potential target. And as Dubai cements its place as a global business hub, the demand for cybersecurity experts continues to surge. It’s not just about stopping hackers — it’s about protecting an entire digital economy.
Why Students Should See Cybersecurity as a Career, Not Just a Concern
Here’s the bridge many miss: the same growing risks that threaten our everyday lives are also creating one of the most in-demand career paths of the decade.
According to industry reports, global demand for cybersecurity professionals is set to exceed 3.5 million unfilled positions in the next few years. Salaries reflect this demand — UK entry-level roles start around £35,000–£45,000, scaling to £70,000+ with experience. In the UAE, senior cybersecurity roles command even higher figures, thanks to the region’s rapid digital growth.
At universities like UWS London, the MSc Cyber Security is specifically designed for students with an IT background who want to move into this field. It’s not just about learning how to block threats — it’s about understanding digital forensics, risk management, and how to anticipate the next wave of scams before they hit.
Practical Steps: How Ordinary People Can Protect Themselves
While careers in cybersecurity are critical, awareness at the personal level is just as important. Here are a few practical tips for families, students, and professionals:
- Pause before you click – Urgency in messages is a red flag.
- Use strong, unique passwords – And enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Keep devices updated – Many breaches exploit outdated software.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive work – Or use a trusted VPN.
- Educate continuously – Scammers evolve, so your awareness must evolve too.
Erudmite’s Perspective
At Erudmite, we see cybersecurity not just as a career track but as a life skill. Our career counselling in Dubai emphasises that international students studying in the UK — whether in IT, finance, or healthcare — must understand how cybersecurity underpins every industry.
We guide students into programmes like the MSc Cyber Security at UWS London, while also helping those from non-IT backgrounds explore adjacent fields such as cloud computing or project management. Because in today’s world, every job intersects with digital security.
Conclusion:
That moment in Dubai, seeing a family of five absorbed in their phones, wasn’t just about distraction. It was about dependence. Technology is now an extension of our lives our communication, our money, our memories, our identities.
And if it holds so much of us, then protecting it is no longer optional. It’s essential. Cybersecurity is the shield between everyday families and invisible threats. It’s the science of keeping trust alive in a digital age.
The world doesn’t slow down for scams. It’s up to us to speed up our awareness, our defences, and for some, our careers in protecting others.
FAQs
1. Why do scammers keep inventing new tricks?
Because once the public learns to avoid one scam, it becomes less effective. Scammers thrive on creativity and surprise.
2. Is cybersecurity only for IT professionals?
No. While advanced careers require an IT background, basic cybersecurity awareness is crucial for everyone.
3. Can non-IT students enter cybersecurity fields?
Yes, through adjacent programmes like MSc Information Technology with Cloud Computing or MSc Project Management, students can move into related roles with security components.
4. What’s the career outlook for cybersecurity students?
Extremely strong. Global shortages mean opportunities across the UK, UAE, and beyond, with competitive salaries.
5. How does Erudmite support students interested in this field?
We provide one-on-one counselling, connect students with universities like UWS London, and help align career goals with the right IT or cybersecurity programme.
