Information Security Apprentice Review

My role involves a range of cyber security jobs. On a day to day, I regularly get involved in a mix of assurance, general security, systems security, cloud architecture security and also risk management and business continuity management. I also have a large role in awareness within the business, and ensuring everyone stays safe at work.

In my role at the NHSBSA I have learnt many skills including risk management, business continuity management, security assurance, cloud management, network design and management, law and organisational standards such as ISO 27001 and the general ISO/IEC standards in the 27000 series. I have also developed my knowledge in social engineering and general cyber security in my role.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. During the apprenticeship I have been on multiple courses relating to subjects that I am interested in. I have also spent a lot of time doing exams, but this has been very heavily beneficial and has helped me choose what I want to do in my career as I progress.

The programme I am on is very well structured and organised. In my day to day, the projects that I am involved in can be implemented into my apprenticeship work and projects, such as assurance and day to day queries to the inbox for my work area. I am very pleased.

My employer gives me a very large amount of support in my day to day work. Every month I have a 1 to 1 sit down that is for me to discuss any problems I have at work and and plans for my future development in the workplace. I also have a comfortable feeling about talking about problems at any other time.

My training provider gives me a large amount of support in preparing for my qualifications and exams. Although the support is in large amounts, there could be more effective uses of time in terms of preparation. It is compulsory to watch videos on Pluralsight to learn, however this is not my learning type and therefore doesn't use my time effectively.

My qualifications provided by the training provider have helped me to better perform in my role in the NHS BSA. The qualifications I have received cover a lot of my day to day work, involving risk management, business continuity, security assurance and also general cyber security. I have used them in a lot of ways.

There are lots of extra curricular activities to get involved in in my workplace, such as clubs outside of work hours, general cake sales, charity events and volunteering opportunities on a weekly basis. There are also a lot of professional networking events available that help me to meet interesting peple in the industry and develop my communications in the professional world.

Yes

Firebrand are very good at what they do. Although there are flaws in the system in various places, I believe that with a little feedback and a push to be the best provider out there, they could provide perfectly acceptable training that can help you develop in the workplace effectively.

The only advice I would give to anyone hoping to start an apprenticeship with Firebrand, would be to do some pre reading and preparation before beginning the apprenticeship. I believe that although it is a generally high level apprenticeship, a good amount of general knowledge surrounding the industry and the shortened terms used in meeting etc would help you be more prepared for the job as a whole.