Cyber Security Assurance Apprentice Review

Day to day I am working in the security assurance team, looking at signalling, telecoms and SCADA projects delivering services. I make sure that projects are compliant with relevant regulations and legislation such as ISO27001 and IEC62443. I identify security vulnerabilities and provide a plan of action for mitigation of risks.

I've learnt new skills and developed existing skills during my time as an apprenticeship. I've learnt how to audit against defined control sets, and I've learnt more technical practices such as pen testing skills and malware analysis. I've developed my communication skills and also my technical networking skills.

In some aspects, I've enjoyed my programme. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my employer and I feel supported by my peers yet I find my work challenging and feel I have developed a lot in the time I have been here. However, the level of customer service I have received for QA has been far from satisfactory and I feel let down by QA; especially as I have consistently been told misleading information and had exams delayed.

Not very well organised at all. We were put onto the wrong course by QA without notification, and only found this out when my organisation had realised that the training we were on boarded onto was different to the training that was offered to them. BCS, the examiner, has consistently provided us with inaccurate exam papers, so much so that our trainers are having to teach us the 'wrong' answers to enable us to pass. QA has not met my expectations and the information I have been given from our skills coaches is often mismatched and delayed. Overall I do not think the programme has had any organisation and I feel let down by QA and BCS.

My employer is supportive to an extent. I have a very supportive line manager and team who has supported me through any issues and I feel comfortable to notify my team of any issues I am having. However, the wider apprenticeship team has not been helpful. I have attempted to contact the Apprenticeship Manager within the organisation and have had no response. I feel let down by this.

Not much at all. We are provided with pre-exam work and practice exams which are helpful, and I cannot fault the trainers that QA employ; their dedication and subject knowledge is faultless. However my skills coach has provided little support, we have had exams that have been moved and changed which makes revision difficult and have received little information on the structure of exams.

I have learnt a wide range of skills during the apprenticeship and although we were put onto the wrong course, I still feel that what I have learnt has been beneficial. I've learnt a wide range of technical networking skills which has helped me understand the technical side to projects, as well as learnt skills which directly improve my role (e.g. ISO27001 overview course, Open Source Intelligence, Security Fundamentals).

I am regularly invited to conferences and where possible I attend these in order to network with other professionals and also to gain more knowledge. There are many social activities and sports that occur at my workplace although I choose not to get involved in these as I prefer getting involved in my own events.

Yes

It is an inclusive, diverse employer that cares for it's employees. The work ethic here is good and there is a culture of challenging if employees feel an attitude or behaviour is not right. I feel supported by my line manager and my team and feel that we all get along well and my opinions are heard.

Have a good, well written CV and apply for jobs where you feel you have a good match of skills and you think you may enjoy. Be yourself and come into the organisation with an open mind as there is a lot to learn. The interview process is more lengthy than other organisations but do not let you be put off by this.