What is IT Security and Why Should You Learn It?
Almost half of all UK businesses reported a breach or attack in the past year, and with it taking on average 120 days for a business to notice a breach; it’s vital that all measures are put in place to prevent information getting into the wrong hands.
With an expected 100,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs expected in the Uk by 2022; employers are in need of skilled workers in this field more than ever. As part of the GDPR, companies are also now required to put measures in place to protect any and all customer data, so the need for workers skilled in data protection is higher than ever before in the UK.
How to Get Into IT Security in the UK
Not only is IT Security one of the most secure when it comes to job security and boasts high demand across the UK; it’s also an easy industry to access no matter your background. It’s very possible to enter this field without a Degree, which is rare for a profession where senior analysts have salaries that can exceed £100,000.
While the typical pathway into this sector does vary, many entry-level IT security professionals are Certified in their chosen field, which is a short course or level 1-2 training which develops the skills needed for the workforce. Some positions, such as Digital Forensic professionals, tend to have much higher qualifications; including a Bachelor’s Degree in an area such as Computer Science, information Technology.
Choose Your Study Pathway
Vocational Courses
Vocational courses, or further education, is and training that falls outside of ‘school age’, or high school level. In the UK, further education and vocational courses are offered at Colleges, Universities throughout. Qualifications range from Certificate and Diploma at level 3-5 courses. There are plenty of National Vocational Qualifications, or NVQ level 3 and 5 courses available in IT security, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year to complete. Many moving into this industry, ether for the first time or looking to specialise, choose vocational qualifications for their ease, online accessibility and short duration.
IT Security Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a less common pathway into IT and cyber security, but are very useful. The basis of all apprenticeships are hands-on learning, combined with academic theory in a course. The benefit of this in IT security, is that you can get real-world experience at a company or IT department, while earning your qualification. So, when you finish up, you’ll have both the certification and the experience needed in the real world. Apprenticeships are offered through University and Colleges, and while you do need to manage your time wisely, it’s a great progression route into the industry.
Work Experience in IT Security
It is possible to apply directly to a position as a trainee or an intern and develop your skills this way. While it’s not as common, much like an apprenticeship, you can work on your knowledge in a real-world setting, which is invaluable. This is an option for someone already working in IT who may want to move into an IT security role, or a recent school-leaver.
University Degree
For the more intricate iT roles, such as IT forensic specialists and Systems Engineers, a Bachelor degree is very common in the sector. Many professionals have qualifications in Computer Science or Information Technology, which can take anywhere between 3-4 years to complete. While a postgraduate course isn’t always necessary, some areas of IT security seem to prefer this when hiring for open positions.
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