Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
ASIO Virtual Experience for Technologists
Australia, Online/remote
What is this?
Welcome to ASIO’s Virtual Experience for Technologists
ASIO protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. ASIO’s people are ordinary Australians who do extraordinary things. The roles in ASIO are as diverse as our people – we have more careers opportunities for technologists than you might expect.
Technology is at the heart of ASIO’s mission. We recruit technologists from a wide array of backgrounds and experience levels who want to make a difference.
As a Technologist Graduate, you will be assigned to a stream based on your academic background, skills and experience. The streams include Science & Engineering; Data & Analytics; Information & Cyber Security; Software Engineering & Development; and IT Platforms.
You will be part of a program that will train, develop and support you to have a career that makes a difference.
Why should you do this?
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This Virtual Experience is self-paced and should take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
This Virtual Experience is free for all students.
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After completing this Virtual Experience you will have rare insight about the work of Technologist Graduates in ASIO.
What skills will I gain?
Module 1: Geospatial analysis; information exploitation, data profiling and open-source research skills.
Module 2: Telecommunications data analysis; digital profiling; Information Security; IT security.
Module 3: Software development
What you will do?
Module 1 - Find the ‘Dead Drop’ (30 minutes)
A ‘Dead Drop’ is an intelligence term for a secret location where spies can exchange information without ever meeting in person. ASIO suspects a spy (Ms Pink) and her handler (known to ASIO as ‘The Boss’) are using a ‘Dead Drop’ as part of their intelligence tradecraft. ASIO needs your help to identify the exact location using the information and clues provided.
Module 2 – Identify ‘The Boss’ (40 minutes)
Your next task is to discover the real name of ‘The Boss’ by analysing telecommunications data. You will work with a spreadsheet of call logs and a set of clues about ‘The Boss’ and an accomplice. Matching call times and durations will help you work out who ‘The Boss’ really is.
Module 3 - Reveal the Network (20 minutes)
In this final task, you will fix a broken piece of code to reveal the password ‘The Boss’ uses to access a covert network. Once you have discovered this password, ASIO will be able to intercept its covert communications and disrupt any potential threats to security.
Ready to get started?
Click Register to begin.
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Australian Citizen
- Business & Management +more
- Bachelor or higher
About the employer
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
4.7
1,000 - 50,000 employees
Government & Public Service
After WWII, it was discovered Soviet spies were accessing confidential government data from both the UK and Australia. In 1949, this prompted the Prime Minister to issue a ‘Directive for the Establishment and Maintenance of a Security Service’, which set in motion the creation of ASIO.
Pros and cons of working at Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
Pros
I value the people most. The collaborative, supportive colleagues create an energising environment. I’m driven by the meaningful impact of our work, knowing that my efforts genuinely help keep Australia and Australians safe.
Working at ASIO provides opportunities every day to contribute to protecting Australia’s national security while working amongst an incredibly talented and dedicated team. The environment keeps me motivated, the diverse challenges sharpen my skills, and the emphasis on continuous learning means I’m always growing professionally and personally. It’s rewarding to be a part of the work which makes a difference for our country.
What I enjoy most about working here is the wealth of opportunities that exist within the Organisation. As an engineer, I like change and improving on current processes. I have found the culture here to be very accommodating of this mindset and always striving for improvement to support people’s needs. I’ve built a wide network of reliable and friendly peers both formally and informally. I have also been able to pursue my personal career interests and do technical training in topics I am eager to improve in. This has made work exciting, and has fueled my drive to come into work every day so that I can contribute and grow.
The mission and the importance of the work we undertake are driving factors for coming to work. It is rewarding to know that our work directly contributes to keeping Australia and Australians safe. Additionally, the camaraderie, support and cohesiveness of the staff within ASIO encourage a positive working environment wherever you are working.
I enjoy the people I work with, and the friends that I have made in the office. Moving across the country to work can be quite hard but it's definitely made easier by the people you work with.
Cons
The main downside is the secretive nature of the role as work cannot be discussed outside the office. However, we receive support and guidance on how to navigate this, and as it’s in support of the mission, it’s worth it.
Personally, I have not yet found any imposing downsides of working here.
The security environment could possibly be seen as challenging and restricting to some. It also means you don’t have your phone (also a plus!).
There are challenges in being unable to tell family and friends where you work. However, this quickly becomes the norm when you are surrounded by and supported by others in the same situation. It gets easier, but it can be a difficult adjustment when you first start at ASIO.
Not being able to tell your friends and family about the intricacies of work is tough.