{"id":27788,"date":"2025-01-15T04:34:20","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T04:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/apprentice\/national-careers-week-2024-how-to-start-your-career-in-cyber-security\/"},"modified":"2025-01-15T04:34:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T04:34:20","slug":"national-careers-week-2024-how-to-start-your-career-in-cyber-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=27788","title":{"rendered":"National Careers Week 2024: How to start your career in cyber security"},"content":{"rendered":"


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With <\/span>more and more<\/span> of our lives being spent online, <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> no surprise that <\/span>cyber <\/span>security is one of the <\/span>fastest-growing<\/span> industries in the UK<\/span>. <\/span>Alarmingly, 3<\/span>2<\/span>% of <\/span>businesses<\/span> claim<\/span>ed<\/span> to have experienced <\/span>cyber<\/span> attacks<\/span> in 202<\/span>3<\/span>. As it stands, demand is outstripping supply with more jobs unfilled than cyber<\/span> s<\/span>ecurity professionals available.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

As businesses continue to invest to protect their digital data and technologies, cyber security analysts have their pick of sectors and organisations to work in – from governmental, police forces, commercial, tech and financial. Cyber security apprenticeships put you <\/span>on<\/span> the front line of defence against <\/span>cyber-attacks<\/span> \u2013 leading to a stimulating and varied career.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, <\/span>take a look<\/span> at our guide below. <\/span>You\u2019ll<\/span> find information on what qualifications you will need, routes into cybersecurity roles, and what you can expect from this career path<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Necessary skills\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Being such a young industry, there<\/span> is no definitive path to becoming a cyber security expert.<\/span> Many of the UK\u2019s cyber security workforce are under 40 years old. Whilst specific job entry requirements will vary, some key skills will help your chances of getting a foot on the ladder:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
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    Strong IT skills<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
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    Problem-solving skills<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
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    Critical thinking<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
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    Risk aware\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
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    Experience with coding and software languages<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
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    Remaining<\/span> calm under pressure<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Accessing a career in cyber security\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

    Undergraduate degrees: <\/span>Most junior roles will require some form of IT qualification<\/span>. Computer science degrees and <\/span>dedicated cyber<\/span> security degrees <\/span>are a great starting point.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

    Whether <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> a dedicated degree or a more generalised IT-based qualification, cyber<\/span> security<\/span> also<\/span> requires hands-on, practical experience with most companies looking for individuals <\/span>who<\/span> show genuine enthusiasm for the industry. This can be <\/span>demonstrated<\/span> through self-study and volunteering IT skills to help with online projects.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    More advanced roles will require<\/span> experience or<\/span> post-graduate training with a host of universities across the UK now offering Master’s degrees in Cyber Security,\u00a0<\/span>Network and Information Security, and Digital Forensics.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    There are also plenty of roles within the cyber<\/span> security sphere that would be considered non-technical. These are managerial and training positions that lean more on transferable skills that would be useful in easing communication with customers and individuals and <\/span>maintaining<\/span> an up-to-date understanding of current laws, standards, and practices to train others.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    The Apprenticeship Advantage<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

    Another <\/span>option<\/span> for kickstarting a career in cyber is with a cyber security apprenticeship. Unlike university degrees which usually consist of full-time education for 3 or 4 years, with an <\/span>apprenticeship, <\/span>you<\/span> combine<\/span> practical work experience <\/span>with<\/span> studying. <\/span>The benefits of completing a cyber security apprenticeship include:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

    Hands-On Experience: <\/span>Cyber security a<\/span>pprenticeships <\/span>provide<\/span> a unique opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience while earning a wage. Rather than being confined to a classroom, apprentices work alongside seasoned professionals, getting involved in actual projects and scenarios. This hands-on exposure not only accelerates learning but also equips apprentices with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the field.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Structured Learning<\/span>: Apprenticeships follow a structured training program<\/span>me<\/span> designed to cover a wide spectrum of cyber<\/span> security concepts and technologies. From understanding network security protocols to mastering ethical hacking techniques, apprenticeships offer a comprehensive curriculum curated to meet industry standards and demands.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Mentorship and Networking:<\/span> One of the most invaluable aspects of apprenticeships is the mentorship provided by experienced professionals. Having a mentor to guide you through challenges, offer insights, and share best practices can significantly accelerate your growth trajectory. Additionally, apprenticeships foster a network of peers and professionals within the cyber<\/span> security domain, opening doors to future career opportunities and collaborations.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Earning While Learning<\/span>: Unlike traditional educational pathways that often incur hefty tuition fees and student debt, apprenticeships offer a<\/span>n<\/span> “earn while you learn” model. Apprentices receive a salary for their work, making cyber<\/span> s<\/span>ecurity accessible to individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

    What kind of job can I get with a Cyber Security Apprenticeship?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

    Entry-level: Cyber Security Analyst<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

    A cyber security analyst is primarily responsible for protecting a company’s network and systems from <\/span>cyber-attacks<\/span>. This involves researching upcoming IT trends, creating contingency plans, reviewing suspicious activities, reporting security breaches, and educating the rest of the company on security measures.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Mid-level: Security Engineer<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    As a security engineer, <\/span>it’s<\/span> your job to keep a company’s security systems up and running. This might involve implementing and testing new security features, planning computer and network upgrades, troubleshooting, and responding to security incidents.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Upper-level<\/span>: Security Architect<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    A security architect creates and designs security for a system or service, <\/span>maintains<\/span> security documentation and develops architecture patterns and security approaches to <\/span>new technologies<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    escalla<\/span> has cyber security apprenticeship cohorts starting throughout 2024. Enquire today to register your interest.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n