National Apprenticeship Week: A SOC Analyst in Action
Published on: 8th February 2023
Today’s National Apprenticeship Week takes a spotlight onto cyber security technologists turned SOC analyst and engineers Henry and Dom.
Having started back in March 2021 in our Leeds office, and now settling into their post apprenticeship roles, they reflect back on their journey from qualification to SOC analyst. A strong exposure to a wide range of cyber security topics, as well as a supportive team, is a theme which unites both. Take it away, team!
What was your apprenticeship and what’s your job role now?
My apprenticeship was a Level 4 as a Cyber Security Technologist. I am now currently working as a SOC (Security Operations Centre) Engineer alongside the rest of the team at Communicate.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship with Communicate, and why did you choose to stay?
I was looking for cyber security apprenticeships as I wanted to expand my knowledge within the industry, and I knew that an apprenticeship was the direction I wanted to go in. I saw an opportunity arise with Communicate and after my initial interview I knew that this was where I wanted to begin my career in cyber security.
The reason I chose to stay after completing my apprenticeship was from day one I immediately felt like I was part of a family. I had been looked after throughout the whole of my apprenticeship and had been provided with an incredible number of opportunities to grow and develop. I was continuously provided with an extremely high level of training and challenges in a wide range of areas across cyber security, including firewalls, cyber security auditing and Linux development. This continued support and training has not stopped even after completing my apprenticeship, with multiple courses lined up over the coming months and years.
How has your apprenticeship set you up for your new role?
My apprenticeship has provided me with a strong foundation of knowledge which will help me further my career within the industry. Alongside this, the apprenticeship has provided me with a job opportunity which I may not have received if I had gone through the route of University. Most importantly the apprenticeship has provided me with real-world experience which is something you may not attain through a classroom. For example, when dealing with a cyber security incident in real life there is significant pressure and expectation which cannot be replicated in a classroom. Being able to learn from these experiences and develop yourself further is invaluable in building yourself up for the future.
What did you like most about your apprenticeship?
I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of my apprenticeship, the highlights being the continued support from both QA and Communicate. Throughout the apprenticeship there was a mix of classroom sessions with trainers who would delve into areas within cyber security, alongside projects which would then allow me to demonstrate this newly gained knowledge. One of the highlights of apprenticeships and one of the main reasons I support them is you can gain real world experience alongside gaining an education and certification. There are multiple levels to apprenticeships, meaning you can continue gaining and developing knowledge for as long as you want, even specialising in certain areas if desired.
What are your career aspirations now you’ve finished?
Completing my apprenticeship has opened a number of doors for me in terms of future career aspirations. Although I am still very early on in my career, I have found a draw into the world of cyber security auditing. I find enjoyment in providing businesses with assistance to ensure they are utilising the right techniques and technologies to achieve a higher level of security. Alongside auditing I have also developed an interest in firewalls and firewall management. Firewalls are often the first line of defence for businesses, and ensuring they are used effectively can significantly strengthen a business’s security posture. I also have the opportunity of continuing through apprenticeships up to Level 7, which is equivalent to a master’s degree.
What was your apprenticeship and what’s your job role now?
I completed a level 4 Cyber Security Technologist apprenticeship with QA and am now employed as a SOC Analyst.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship with Communicate, and why did you choose to stay?
I chose an apprenticeship at Communicate as I felt starting my cyber security career here would provide the most varied path, with it being a relatively small, but fast-growing company. This turned out to be correct and is why I chose to stay. I have had exposure to most areas within cyber security, providing a great opportunity to understand where I would like to specialise in by gaining first-hand experience. I am also grateful for the team I have been able to train and work alongside with.
How has your apprenticeship set you up for your new role?
The apprenticeship course provided insight and training in all areas of cyber security, setting me up to be most effective with my new role as an analyst.
What did you like most about your apprenticeship?
The varied and often hands-on approach with plenty of theory and practical learning with approachable and experienced tutors.
What are your career aspirations now you’ve finished?
As I complete further training throughout 2023 and beyond, I will be building on my SOC analyst skills by taking on formal courses in threat hunting & intelligence, as well as ethical hacking to gain a better comprehension of red and blue (purple) teaming.
Tomorrow’s release will pull back on curtain on Josh and James’ experiences graduating from their IT infrastructure roles, and how they’ve both been inspired to manage their own teams.
