Cloud Application Security Review

I work in Cloud Application Security. My day to day role in Cyber Security is exciting as the threat landscape is always changing. I get to interact with lots of interesting people from different backgrounds with vast amounts of experience in networking and security. I also get the opportunity to attend lots of different training sessions to ensure my skills stay up to date and relevant for my role.

During my time doing an apprenticeship at BT I have completed a foundation degree at De Montfort University, and I intend to top this up to a full degree. I have also completed various other forms of training, such as CompTIA Network+ which I recently passed the exam for. Soon I will be doing CompTIA Security+ too. I am also completing my level 4 NVQ for my apprenticeship.

I have enjoyed my time at BT as the Cyber Security industry is a very exciting place to work. It is a very fast growing industry with lots to learn. BT gives me many opportunities to attend training all across the UK to ensure my skills are kept up to date and relevant.

I feel valued by BT. I feel like I have a chance to have a career working here, rather than “just a job”. I feel like I am important to BT as lots of time and money is invested into my training to ensure I am capable of completing my role, and much more.

For the most part, the programme is quite well organised. However there have been a few mishaps along the way, such as the full degree getting cancelled, and instead we were only able to complete a foundation degree. I am also in the third year of my apprenticeship, and I’m only just doing Network+ and Security+ training now, I believe this should have been offered to me during my first year, as these qualifications are a great foundation platform for working in Cyber Security.

My NVQ assessor is very busy but always manages to find some time to talk to me and give me help and guidance whenever I need it. He gives me good support and pushes me to complete my NVQ to the highest standard I could possibly achieve. If some of my work is good, but not great, he will push me to make my work match the high quality of the rest of my work, which I am grateful for.

My employer gives me lots of time and support and always ensures my personal development comes first. I receive a lot of support from my team and people are always willing to give me some of their time to have a chat with me and give me whatever support I need.

Pay is sufficient to support me. I was originally based in Leeds which cost me a substantial amount to commute each day, but after a chat with my new boss, he got me based in Sheffield, greatly reducing my travel costs. Whenever I do any travelling for work, all of my travel costs are covered by the company, along with any hotel stays and evening meals/breakfasts required for the duration of my stay.

There are some oppurtunities for activities outside of work. However I do not attend any, except for the odd team meetup for a chat with some drinks in an evening. These tend to follow a team meeting, as these are the only occasions where our entire team is in the same place, as normally we are all scattered across the UK.

Yes

BT gives you plenty of opportunities to achieve and progress. I see my role at BT as more of a career than “just a job”. I am glad I chose to take an apprenticeship at BT as I don’t think I would have been able to get to where I am without the training & opportunities BT provides.

The advice I would give to other people applying for BT, would be to take every opportunity BT gives you. There are so many chances to do exciting things, and get good training, and it would be a shame to miss out on anything like that. Jump at every chance you get.