Cyber Security Technologist Review

My role is active, always changing around the Cyber Landscape. This has many benefits; I get to learn the latest Information security techniques, Improve on my business skills in a fast paced environment and have a holistic view of the finance sector. My work also involves: - Administrating - Maintaining communications with UK Authorities such as NCSC. - Understanding the wider FCA

Multiple skills have been learnt while being at the FCA, I have especially developed on my business communication and writing skills. The FCA offers training and mandatory training to new joiners where you can learn about best ways to communicate within a business environment and how to talk to people. Another valuable skill learnt is how to be critical of an idea without ruining the idea, shaping the idea into something better.

I enjoy my program a lot especially while in work at the FCA, as I'm kept busy and constantly learning. However I do feel the Provider of the programme could have been a lot better (QA Limited) and have caused a slight amount of issues throughout. Although QA training staff are very intelligent and understand all of the topics great for teaching someone without prior experience.

While at work (FCA) its very well structured with myself and my line manager setting out objectives for the year and regular updates to them with set plans to follow to help improve at the job. However again the apprenticeship provider has not proved the best experience when it comes to organisation of the programme and administering the program.

FCA support their apprentices really well, always taking into consideration what is best for them. My manager is very supportive on me and my objective and goals, helping me at every opportunity to achieve them. My employer has also supported me in improving my apprenticeship providers quality of administrating and organisation.

My training provider has not been the best and I would not recommend using them again. Their organisational efforts towards the apprenticeship have been concerning most of the time ignoring, or not acting upon concerns apprentices have. However my provider does have some highly experienced staff in the topic who can teach subjects really well to people with little to no experience.

The qualification I get at the end of my apprenticeship will give me a baseline to work from within a role here at the FCA, enabling me to then further my qualifications and completing a professional qualification such as CISSP or CISM. I wish again there was some more support from the training provider on what the qualification will mean and enable me to do.

Yes lots! There is many networks within the FCA that you are able to join from LBGT groups to Photography clubs and people are always welcome to make there own groups (within reason). I've got a chance to go to many networking events now which is great for developing my cyber career.

Yes

I would recommend it to a friend as the experience I've had here has been very good and organised. The FCA do take into consideration an employees best interests and do everything within there power to make everyone happy. The FCA also has many other benefits as I have already stated the main one being you are at the centre of the UK's Finance Sector.

I think the best tip when applying for the FCA is to be yourself and honest, there is such a wide variety of people here at the FCA. When applying you also need to be professional and understand this is a business environment with a lot of publicity therefore the FCA and its employees always has to take into consideration what it does and what could affect the public.