Richfield Alumni Success Story - Emmanuel Perumal
Written by: BizCommunity Editor Save to Instapaper
In fact, the local cybersecurity sector is on track to reach $4.11bn by 2030, growing at a 13.3% annual rate.
One of the major drivers of this growth is financial institutions. Banks hold massive amounts of sensitive information, and criminals are always looking for ways to get in. They’re investing heavily in digital security, but staying ahead of threats takes more than just good technology – it takes highly skilled professionals with the right expertise.
Yet, there’s a major challenge. According to a national survey conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 63% of cybersecurity roles in South Africa are either partially or fully unfilled. The demand for skilled professionals is growing faster than the supply, creating opportunities for those with the right skills.
This is exactly where experts like Richfield BSc IT graduate, Emmanuel Perumal, come in.
From Richfield to Standard Bank
Emmanuel’s journey started at Richfield, where he earned his BSc in IT in 2021.
Education wasn’t always guaranteed, and he considered cost a major obstacle. "Richfield provided high-quality education at an affordable rate, which was a game-changer for me," he says. The opportunity to study without financial strain allowed him to focus on building his skills and launching his career.
Today, he’s a cybersecurity engineer at Standard Bank and has built a career in one of the country’s most critical and in-demand industries. His expertise spans AI governance, data loss prevention, web and API security, cloud security, DevSecOps, and ethical hacking.
Building a career in cybersecurity
Before joining Standard Bank, Emmanuel gained experience at Multitier IT Solutions as a developer intern. That role opened doors to a graduate position at Old Mutual, where he learned how technology is applied in the financial sector. The exposure he gained helped him refine his skills and understand the industry's unique security challenges.
Cyber threats evolve constantly, and keeping up requires continuous learning. Emmanuel understands this better than most. "To stay ahead of hackers, you need to think like one – this requires ongoing research and a commitment to learning new things," he explains.
Richfield played a key role in preparing Emmanuel for his career while shaping his love for learning. Beyond technical knowledge, his time at Richfield was also about collaboration and growth. "The most memorable part of my time at Richfield was the exposure to new knowledge in my dream field, alongside working on projects and spending time with friends," he recalls. The supportive learning environment and hands-on projects helped him develop problem-solving skills that he still applies daily in his role.
The Richfield advantage
Today, Emmanuel encourages aspiring tech professionals to focus on excelling in specific areas rather than trying to learn everything at once, finding a mentor in your industry, dedicating yourself to continuous curiosity, and embracing challenges as learning opportunities.
Are you ready to follow in Emmanuel’s footsteps and build a career in cybersecurity, IT, or another cutting-edge field? Richfield offers an industry-aligned BSc IT that features work-integrated learning modules that help students gain practical experience. In addition, students can also access additional credentials from global partners like IBM, AWS, and CISCO.
Apply on the Richfield website now and become the next Richfield alumni success story.
We submit and automate press releases distribution for a range of clients. Our platform brings in automation to 5 social media platforms with engaging hashtags. Our new platform The Pulse, allows premium PR Agencies to have access to our newsletter subscribers.
Latest from
- Seven Reasons Smart Consumers Prefer Brands That Educate Rather Than Push Products or Hard-Sell
- Youth in Oil and Gas Summit Sparks Call for Pragmatic Leadership to Drive Skills and Opportunity in Namibia
- African Energy Chamber Advocates for Youth Inclusion as Pillar of Namibia’s Oil and Gas Strategy
- Shark Exhibition Showcases Innovative Solutions to Protect Both Marine Life and Human Safety in SA Waters
- Domain Parking Demystified A Strategic Tool for Brand Protection and Future Online Growth
- Toyota South Africa and Kaizer Chiefs Turn Sponsorship Into Impact With Outreach to Ethelbert Centre
- Woolworths Becomes First SA Retailer to Offer Tailored Health Cover to Thousands of Employees
- Celebrating PR With Purpose A Tribute to Storytellers Who Place Humanity at the Heart of Influence
- Tired of the Grind? Why So Many South Africans Are Unhappy at Work and Looking for Something Better
- Megapro Appoints Marc Jury as CEO as Sports Marketing Veteran Prepares to Become Majority Shareholder
- Glencore-Merafe Resources Commits to Sustainable Impact With Handover of 11 Community Projects
- The Business Show Africa 2025 Promises Game-Changing Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Startups
- Flow Launches Shoppable Audience Marketplace Giving Advertisers Instant Access to Premium First-Party Data
- CILTSA ESG Conference Unites Transport and Logistics Leaders to Accelerate Sustainable Industry Change
- South Africa Continues TO Engage The United States (US) Government ON The Reciprocal Tariffs
The Pulse Latest Articles
- Xlink: An Avant-garde, Purpose-driven Fintelco Driving Digital And Payments Interoperability On The African Continent (August 1, 2025)
- Success Is Just The Beginning For This South African Brand (July 31, 2025)
- Embassies Business Fair And Conference 2025 To Fast-track Africa’s Global Economic Integration (July 31, 2025)
- There Is A Small Business Funding Readiness Crisis In South Africa (July 30, 2025)
- Young Achievers Shine At The Top Of The Growthpoint Gems Class (July 30, 2025)