Cyber Security Engineer Apprentice

Employer description:
Tekgem bridges the gap between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT). Providing expert industrial cyber security services, our tried and tested consultancy and engineering helps our customers to manage their critical infrastructure safely and securely.

Overview of the role:

Individuals within the Apprentice Cyber Security Engineer role are part of a team that manage the operation of secure and highly available OT platforms, servers, and networks. They support the design, installation, maintenance, and ongoing security and performance of industrial networks and infrastructure. This includes internal Tekgem and external client environments, networks, and related utilities and infrastructure components, responding to incidents and problems as they arise, and taking part in project work.

Apprentice Cyber Security Engineers are enthusiastic to learn, they treat everyone around them with respect, they are open to changes in technology, changes in the way we do things and are always striving to improve. They support other members of the team, helping others when they need it and asking for support when they need it. They have good communication skills and must be able to work collaboratively with clients, vendors, and other technical colleagues. Individuals have a strong customer service orientation to ensure that all projects, support requests and incidents are resolved in a professional manner.

Being an apprenticeship, they are also required to complete an apprenticeship programme which involves creating a portfolio of the work completed within day-to-day work, demonstrating that they understand the concepts introduced and providing high quality evidence to support it. The apprenticeship also includes tutor led modules on related topics that provide the foundational knowledge required to succeed in the role. Additional work is required in the apprentice’s own time to cement the newfound knowledge and experience. This all culminates in taking and passing relevant examinations to provide our customers with assurance that our team fully understand how to successfully support and implement this complex technology.

You will be responsible for:

• Identifying cyber vulnerabilities in both internal and customer systems to ensure security is maintained
• Supporting the identification of security threats and hazards to a system to inform risk assessments, or design of security countermeasures
• Researching and investigating attack techniques and recommended ways to defend against them
• Supporting cyber risk assessments, health checks, and site surveys
• Securely configuring, deploying, and maintaining internal and external network and infrastructure
• Writing project documentation, functional design specifications, factory acceptance documents and change plans in line with company standards
• Taking part in managing cyber security operational processes on a daily basis including internal daily health and security checks
• Creating simple scripts to gather information from systems
• Presenting on various cyber topics to demonstrate new threats/ new learning/ how specific technologies work
• Take part in incident response and disaster recovery simulations and workshops
• Evaluate and understand new technologies
• Participate in investigations, lessons learned and root cause analysis (RCA) to continually improve service delivery
• Take part in the engineering training programme to ensure ongoing personal and professional development is carried out to meet business skillset requirements
• Creating, updating and managing standard procedures
• Developing and completing apprenticeship portfolios in line with apprenticeship standards and timings
• Completing all modules and work related to apprenticeship training in line with apprenticeship standards and timings

What we are looking for:
Essential skills:

• Passion for technology
• Good communication skills
• Proactive nature
• Situational awareness
• Adaptable to changing situations
• Attention to detail
• Good literacy skills with an ability to write technical documentation
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to take direction and advice and apply it to day-to-day activities
• Basic knowledge of Windows operating systems
• Knowledge of office tools and utilities

Desirable skills:

• Basic understanding of cyber security concepts
• Basic understanding of network and infrastructure concepts
• Awareness of the difference between information technology and operational technology
• Some work experience in similar field

Entry requirements:

• An A-Level in ICT
• OR an International Baccalaureate at Level 3 in ICT
• OR a Level 3 apprenticeship in a similar subject
• OR a BTEC Extended Diploma in IT (180 credits)

You may also have a combination of qualifications and experience which demonstrate the minimum foundation needed for the programme. In this instance you could still be considered for the programme.

If you hold international equivalents of the above qualifications, at the time of your application you must be able to provide an official document that states how your international qualifications compare to the UK qualifications.

For more information, please visit the UK ENIC website.

Qualification goals:

• Apprenticeship Grade: Distinction
• CompTia A+
• CompTia Security+
• Certifications through CloudAcademy

Working week:
40 hours per week, includes 3 hours training per week.

Benefits:

• 20 days holiday per year (excluding bank holidays)
• Performance / probation review at 6 months
• Team bonding events

Future prospects:
90% of QA Apprentices secure full-time employment after finishing their apprenticeship.

Important information:
QA’s apprenticeships are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), an executive agency of the Department for Education. To be eligible for a Government funded apprenticeship you must have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for the last 3 consecutive years.