Cyber Security Apprentice Review

My daily role as a cyber security apprentice involves analysing raw data ingested by our SIEM tool to determine whether the activity that occurred poses a security risk or not. I am required to investigate a wide range of incidents depending on what security rules were flagged during the previous 24 hours.

As the first Cyber Security apprentice within the Shared Services sector, there was no real plan in place, e.g. what kind of work to set for apprentices, the time frame for each of the rotations around the teams etc. However, despite this, I think the managers within Security Operations have quickly adapted and everything has ran very smoothly. However, I don't feel like the university side is very organised as there have been a few times that we have been set an assignment with an unrealistic time frame for any university student but especially those working full time alongside. There was also an instance during the Programming module when the assignment brief was set only to be changed within a week of the deadline as the tutors were unable to work out how to get the code working themselves.

I feel very supported by BAE Systems - for example, as a result of a number of issues with the university, myself and a few other apprentices fed back our concerns to our apprenticeship coach who agreed with our points and set up regular catch up calls as well as escalating out concerns further up the chain. Furthermore, whenever I have asked for some time within the work day to catch up on some uni work, my managers have always been understanding and have allowed me to take as much time as I need.

If I am being honest, I don't feel that Cranfield University provide much support. For example, during one module, I asked the tutor for some help on how to use the software that we had been asked to use and I was told that 'there are some good LinkedIn Learning videos online.' This obviously wasn't much help so I ended up getting some guidance from a work colleague which shouldn't really be the case. In addition, there have been multiple occasions when my cohort have provided feedback to the university, however, we don't really feel that we were listened to as we haven't been able to see many changes. There has also been a couple of times that I have emailed the student academic support mailbox with a query and haven't received a response for weeks which isn't great.

So far, I am struggling to find a link between my university course and my daily job role. There have been a few elements of cyber within some of the modules but so far these elements have been very basic. However, we are scheduled have a cyber module further into level 5 and I am also yet to start my specialism in cyber which is during level 6.

Yes

Overall, I feel that BAE Systems is a great place to work with a lovely atmosphere; all of my colleagues are so welcoming and its never too much trouble when you ask for help. I also feel that the daily work that I have carried out so far allows you to get involved / stuck in and it gives you exposure to a range of areas.