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How a Cyber Security Technician makes a difference

Any sector or organisation that uses technology needs cyber security strategies to protect them from cyber criminals. These criminals can either be individual hackers or organised crime organisations. Both continuously find new ways to steal customer information, business data, and money by accessing online accounts and interrupting transactions.

There are many different kinds of threats that happen online, including malware that releases viruses into computer networks, ransomware that infiltrates systems and asks for payments, and phishing that seeks out personal information. You could be the technician that finds new ways to stop criminals from destroying lives and businesses.

The type of work a Cyber Security Technician will do

  • Researching and investigating cyberattack techniques
  • Identifying security threats and hazards
  • Supporting cyber security risk assessments
  • Developing security designs
  • Configuring and rolling out cyber security technology
  • Developing code or scripts to create a control system
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Cyber Security Technician role

An interest in technology and how people use it.

The confidence to create things on computers and try new software and systems.

The ability to think carefully about a subject or idea, ask questions and act on what you’ve learned.

What you can bring to the Cyber Security Technician role

Great attention to detail when you’re following instructions and producing reports.

A collaborative approach and the ability to explain complex ideas to others.

What you can bring to the Cyber Security Technician role

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- gaming and technology

- exploring problems and finding answers

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Cyber Security Technician

You could become a cyber security engineer who gets involved in the design, build and testing of secure networks or security products or systems.

Alternatively you might become a cyber risk analyst who focuses on risk assessment and giving advice on how to prevent cyberattacks. Another option is becoming a cyber defender and responder who monitors systems to prevent, detect and respond to security breaches.

How to become a Cyber Security Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

More options available after that:

  • A Higher Technical Qualification in Cyber Security.
  • An apprenticeship as a Cyber Security Technologist.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Working in cyber security involves a lot of psychology – understanding why people behave as they do in certain situations – as well as building systems and software that can protect individuals from risk and block cyber criminals from achieving their goals. You could be involved in developing an approach to tackling cyber threats or building cyber protection into new products and services.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Cyber Operations Manager
Cyber Risk Analyst
Intelligence Researcher
Security Analyst
Security Architect

How a Software Developer makes a difference

Computers, mobile phones, computer games, apps, websites, cars, and all sorts of appliances require software to make them operate and to provide a good user experience.

Producing the software involves understanding requirements and working out how to use existing code or produce new code to make different activities and functionality possible. You could be the technician who uses code to improve how things operate and how people do things at work, at home, and in their free time.

The type of work a Software Developer will do

  • Understanding software development objectives
  • Interpreting design specifications
  • Researching existing software solutions
  • Producing code that solves problems
  • Testing software solutions through user testing
  • Reporting progress
  • Writing up technical specifications
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Software Developer role

An interest in software and where and how it’s used.

A fascination with technological innovations and the confidence to engage with new software.

The ability to think carefully about a subject or idea, ask questions and act on what you’ve learned.

What you can bring to the Software Developer role

The ability to define a problem, evaluate different responses and move forward with the best possible solution.

A knack for teaching others how to do something.

A responsible and thorough approach when reviewing work and carrying out checks.

What you can bring to the Software Developer role

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- gaming and technology

- exploring problems and finding answers

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Software Developer

You might specialise in one industry, service or product range, or work for a consultancy where you develop software solutions to a range of problems.

With experience you could become a senior software developer, responsible for leading a team and projects. Or alternatively you could decide to be a freelance developer, working with different teams on diverse contracts.

How to become a Software Developer

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

More options available after that:

  • A Higher Technical Qualification in Computing or Software Development.
  • An apprenticeship as a Software Developer.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Software developers are the important minds behind computer programmes. Their skills help to differentiate products and services and give organisations a competitive advantage by making their activities faster, more reliable, easier to do, and, in some circumstances, more fun. The right software can drive up performance in all sorts of ways.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Application Developer
Mobile Application Developer
Software Engineer
Web Developer

How a Robotics Technician makes a difference

When we think of robots, most of us have a picture in our minds of a human-like figure made out of metal. However robots – or robotic machines – come in all shapes and sizes and play an important role in the manufacturing, engineering, construction, healthcare, military, and logistics sectors.

Many of the tasks completed by robots are repetitive, detailed, or difficult for people to do safely or quickly. Robots improve accuracy and efficiency, and help protect people. As they are machines, they need to be maintained and programmed, which is where humans come in. You could be the technician who makes sure robots can complete the work they’re required to do to the right standard.

The type of work a Robotics Technician will do

  • Repairing robots and connected equipment
  • Troubleshooting robotic systems
  • Programming different kinds of robotic functions
  • Installing and updating software
  • Maintaining technical documents
  • Advising other people on how robotic functions should work or be designed 
  • Supporting operational teams with ideas for improving systems and processes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Robotics Technician role

An inquisitive mind and a determination to discover how things work.

Fascination with robots and how they can improve processes.

The ability to define a problem and think through possible solutions.

What you can bring to the Robotics Technician role

A natural talent for making difficult things easy to understand.

The ability to follow detailed instructions carefully and accurately.

A talent for imagining the future and how robots can contribute to the world.

What you can bring to the Robotics Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- building, making and fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answers

- exploring computers and coding

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Robotics Technician

Your career in robotics engineering could begin in several different sectors, where you will learn how to make robots, fix and improve them. You could decide to specialise in this sector or transfer your skills to another one.

There will be opportunities to lead technical teams or to move further into research and development of products. You might join a consultancy that focuses on design and innovation.

How to become a Robotics Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

  • A T-level in Science.
  • An apprenticeship as a Laboratory Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Robotics engineering involves multiple kinds of technology, including microprocessors, programmable controllers, electronics, circuits, sensors, hydraulics, and feedback systems. They can also be connected to the internet to share data and become part of a wider manufacturing and logistics system.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Manufacturing Engineer
Process Engineer
Production Support Engineer
Installation Engineer
Quality Engineer