Cyber Security Technical Analyst Review

My title according to the apprenticeship is Cyber Security Intrusion Analyst. However my job role is more Cyber Security Systems Engineer. I started off racking equipment and configuring equipment for a project, but have also been creating build documents and assisting in testing. I have been in contact with outside companies with regard to equipment / software to aid in the configuration of equipment. I also attend meetings relating to my project. I have to also fit in University coursework and NVQ work around this operational work.

I have learnt a few new skills though working on the project. Including some Linux and Networking skills. I attend university once a month and am learning bits through this course. So far we have covered Professional context and C Programming. I have done some internal training, however this is just the mandatory BT training. I haven't taken any additional qualifications, but am looking into taking the cisco ccna.

I generally enjoy the programme, however I do find the NVQ a little pointless, especially as we are also attending a University course. The content of the NVQ does also not directly relate to my operational work, so evidence for this will be difficult to produce. Everyone I have met in BT is willing to help with problems and they are friendly people. They give you an appropriate amount of freedom, whilst also checking on your progress.

Most of the people I work with do recognise the amount of work I am doing, however I do not think they realise I am an apprentice with potentially limited amounts of knowledge in the relevant areas. I do get recognition from the project manager, and my line manager. The feedback I heard from the annual review was good to hear.

I think the application process could have been improved with clearer and more frequent communication. The induction week was good with lots of information, interesting talks, and the time to interact and find out about the other people on the course (who we'd be at university with). There are a lot of opportunities for study time with possibility of taking a day a week for study, however I feel that I cannot take these as I will be letting my project team down (as there are only 3 people in the team). There is also a lot of support from my line manager and the apprenticeship nvq team. The program was not overly organised. The NVQ system was late, no one really knew even how long the scheme was for, and no one knew which universities there were going to, or what apprenticeship they were on. I was told that I had signed up to a cyber security apprenticeship, however I later found out I was hired as a software programmer.

I am unsure who the training provider is. For the NVQ this could be the TechPartnership who don't offer any support as this is done by the NVQ team with BT who run the NVQ. The university course is run by many universities. I attend De Montfort University and there has been a mixture of teaching methods. The lecturers do keep informing us that we can contact them at any time via email, or in their office.

There is a lot of support from the NVQ team, and my line manager. They are always asking how they can help, whether there is anything I need etc. They are more than willing to speak to people to solve problems, or find answers to questions. I originally thought the review meetings wouldn't be often enough, but I feel I can always go and talk to my line manager.

My salary covers my travel and living costs, however speaking to other apprentices outside of BT, they are getting paid about £4000 / year more than the BT apprentices. It looks as if BT apprentices are paying for their university course. Some apprentices within BT are not doing any operational work, however they are being paid the same amount as people doing a lot more operational work. The annual pay rise is also just linked to university grades and whether you are up to date with NVQ. I think this is unfair and should include how you are performing in operational work.

Yes there are a lot of opportunities outside of work, mainly volunteering, but there have also been educational events and even filming opportunities. There are gym facilities on the site where I work, however I have not used these. There are other events including innovation days where you can see the latest technology in use and knowing BT events where you can see other parts of BT which you may not know of or have seen before. These can be quite interesting.

Yes

It is a good company to work for with lots of opportunities in the future, however I would highly suggest looking at other companies as they may be better suited to that person. Pay may also be higher with other companies. I think the amount of support you get and the variety of work you do is good compared with other companies, however I do not know exactly what is covered by other employers.

Prepare well for the assessment day, looking at example questions, reading about the day from people who have already done it. Complete any notes they ask you to prepare for the day. Also read about BT. Find out about how they work and their working ethos. Make sure you really want to do this course - Research the NVQ, university course and talk to people about what they do on a day to day basis.