Cyber Security Consultant

Introduction
Online safety is a hugely important issue, both to us as individuals and also in
the world of business. As a Cyber Security Consultant, it will be your
responsibilty to make sure your company's or business's online networks and
systems are as safe and secure as possible.

Work Activities
As a Cyber Security Consultant, you will be responsible for maintaining the
safety of your organisation's or client's online systems and networks. Both
individuals and businesses face the constant challenge of cyber threats. It will
be your role to identify and prevent these attacks.

Most Cyber Security Consultants work for specialist cyber security firms. Organisations and businesses will pay for
your cyber security expertise. You will be allocated clients, and it will be your job to manage and maintain their online
security. You might specialise in a particular area of business, such as insurance, financial, or goverment
departments.

Each organisation has its own particular security issues, and it will be your job to assess them carefully. You will work
with your clients to create security achitecture plans, roadmap strategies and business cases. Basically, these terms
all refer to procedures you can go through to identify and prevent possible security threats. You will study your
client's systems and networks in detail, identifying any vulnerable areas.

You will need to be able to explain, in understandable terms, to your client exactly what, why and how their business
needs protecting.

Once your research has been finished, you will then be able to create and design a security solution. It will be your
responsibility to test and deploy the solution, once it has been agreed upon with your client.

You may be required to train your client's team in using your security solution, and you will also need to develop. a
long-term relationship with them, so that you can maintain the effectiveness of their online security solution over
time.

Cyber security is a fast moving environment, and you will need to stay ahead of the game in terms of your knowledge
- you will always need to be one step ahead of the cyber criminals.

The technology is constantly changing, and here are some examples of the latest emerging security technologies.
Find out as much as you can about:

Hardware Authentication - this involves using hardware to strengthen the security of a logging-in procedure. It
requires three things from the user: what they know, such as a password; who they are, such as a username; and
what they have, such as a special token or the device they are using.
User-behaviour analytics - this security technology will detect if a username and password have been
compromised, and followed by malicious behaviour within an account.
Deep Learning - similar to user-behaviour analytics, this involves focussing on the behaviour of a user and
identifying unusual, possibly malicious activity.

Personal Qualities and Skills

To become a Cyber Security Consultant, you will need:

great IT skills - especially technicle knowledge of cyber security/information security

to have great teamworking skills
knowledge of security technology - e.g. cloud-based security, Identity and Access etc
excellent communication skills, and to be able to explain technical issues, to non-technical people
to be a great listener

© CASCAID 2019 1
 good project management skills
good customer service skills
the ability to pay close attention to detail
to be able to work on your own
flexibility
the ability to meet deadlines and to work under pressure

Pay and Opportunities

Pay

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Starting: £26,500 - £30,000

With experience: £35,000 - £43,000
Senior Cyber Security Consultants earn £48,000 - £54,500

Hours of work

Cyber Security Consultants usually work 35 hours a week, Monday to Friday, but might work some late evenings
when deadlines require, or work out of hours if systems fail.

Where could I work?

You might work for a business who specialises in cyber security. You will have responsibility for a number of clients,
maybe focussing on one particular area. Examples of organisations and businesses relying upon cyber security
include:

insurance companies
government organisations e.g. defence
educational establishments e.g. universities and colleges
financial institutions e.g. banks and building societies
large retail businesses
aerospance organisations

Basically any organisation using online technology can be threatened by a cyber attack.

This career could include working for an agency.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on recruitment and employers' websites, and on Universal
Jobmatch (www.gov.uk/jobsearch).

Social media websites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, are a great way to network, find vacancies and get in
contact with possible employers. Make sure that your profile presents you in a professional manner that will appeal
to potential employers.

Take a look at our General Information Article 'Finding Work Online'.

Entry Routes and Training

Entry Routes

Most employers require you to have a degree before you become a Cyber Security Consultant. Degrees in relevant
subjects are available at many universities.

In order to get onto a degree course you will usually need at least two A levels. An A level in an IT or engineering

© CASCAID 2019 2
 based subject would be a great help.

Another option is to get onto a Higher Level Apprenticeship in information security, or a Degree Apprenticeship in a
relevant area. Take a look at our information article 'Apprenticeships – How do I apply', for more details about
applying for apprenticeship positions.

A great way to get into this career is through an internship. Take a look at our information article ' Internships', for
more details.

So now is a great time to start planning your route through to university. IT or engineering based subjects at GCSE
and A level would help you to stand out from the crowd. Also, try to get as much experience of working with IT
security systems as you can. This could be through work experience, a part-time job, or maybe at school or college.

Work Experience

Previous experience working in an ICT environment would be really useful for this career.

Qualifications
To get onto an Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship, you’ll usually need five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above,
possibly including English and maths.

To get onto a Degree Apprenticeship, you will usually need at least 2 A levels.

For entry to a relevant degree course, the usual requirement is:

2/3 A levels
GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in 2/3 other subjects
English and maths at GCSE

Alternatives to A levels include:

BTEC level 3 qualifications

the International Baccalaureate Diploma

The BTEC level 3 qualification 'professional competence for IT and telecoms professionals' will help you to stand out
from the crowd. See if a college close to you offers this qualification.

However, course requirements vary so check college/university websites carefully.

Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A level.

Adult Opportunities
Age limits

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.

Courses

If you are a graduate with a non-relevant degree, taking a one-year IT postgraduate conversion course will improve
your chances.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access
course, for example, Access to IT/Computing, could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have
not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should
check this with individual colleges.

© CASCAID 2019 3
 Another option would be an HNC in computing on a part-time basis, either evening and/or daytime.

Alternatively, taking short intensive courses in specific computing languages with private accredited IT training
providers can help you to develop the portfolio of technical skills needed by employers. Such courses can be taken on
a flexible, evening, weekend or day part-time basis.

Distance learning

Distance learning opportunities include the Open University, which offers a number of degrees and diplomas in
computing, including the degree in Computing and IT. Many educational institutions offer specific qualifications on a
distance/online learning basis.

Further Information
Contacts

Apprenticeships: Get In. Go Far

National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
Tel: 0800 015 0400
Email: nationalhelpdesk@findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk
Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT

Address: First Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1FA
Tel: 0845 3004417
Email: custsupport@bcs.uk
Website: www.bcs.org

Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships

Tel: 0800 028 4844
Website: ams.careerswales.com/

Tech Partnership
Email: info@thetechpartnership.com
Website: www.thetechpartnership.com/

Related Careers
Door Supervisor
Private Investigator
Close Protection Operative
CCTV Operator
Civil Enforcement Officer
Porter
Security Officer
Store Detective
Security Engineer
Computer Games Developer
Web Developer
Computer Operator
Software Developer
Data Entry Clerk
Multimedia Specialist
Website Manager
Computer Games Designer
Computer Network Manager - deprecated
IT Support Manager
Computer Help Desk Operator
IT Project Manager
Software Tester
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Programmer

© CASCAID 2019 4
 IT Sales Manager
Computer Software Engineer
IT Trainer
Computer Customer Support Manager
Information Technology Manager
Database Administrator
Data Manager
Computer Engineer
Data Analyst
Computer Games Writer
Games Producer
UX Designer
Network Engineer
Assistive Technology Trainer
Big Data Expert
Gamification Design Consultant
Content Manager
CX Designer
CAD Drafter

© CASCAID 2019 5