A Cyber Security Technician protects people and businesses from cyber criminals to keep them safe online
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.
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.
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:
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.
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.
This role can also be known by some other job titles including:
Cyber Operations Manager
Cyber Risk Analyst
Intelligence Researcher
Security Analyst
Security Architect
