Cyber Security Apprentices at SEP2
At SEP2, we are passionate about our cyber security apprenticeship scheme, which has been a cornerstone of our business since its inception in 2020. Our programme is designed to bring through the next generation of cyber security professionals, providing them with hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills. We are proud to have won the Best Apprenticeship/Graduate Scheme award at the 2022 CRN Sales and Marketing Awards, a testament to the strength and success of our programme.
In this blog post, we speak with Maya and Jamie, two of our recent graduates who have transitioned from apprentices to cyber security analysts. They share their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the valuable lessons they learned during their apprenticeship. They also offer advice for those considering a career in cyber security.
Discover how SEP2’s apprenticeship programme is helping to close the cyber security skills gap and shape the careers of future experts.
Meet Our Recently Graduated Apprentices
Maya Lea-Langton, Cyber Security AnalystÂ
Jamie Goldborne, Cyber Security AnalystÂ
Can you share your journey from being a cyber security apprentice to your current role? 
Maya: “In the 2 ½ years I’ve been at SEP2 I’ve gone from being completely new to the industry, being introduced to core fundamentals and concepts, to investigating real internal security alerts and quizzing my co-workers on the software they installed, to building laptops and becoming a point of contact for helping with internal issues. I have been a part of the development and success of SEP2’s Cyber School and its off-shoot projects, I easily integrated myself into the new SAS team and I completed my apprenticeship with a distinction.”
Jamie: “I started in the Technical Engagement team and switched to the Security Intelligence Services team halfway through my apprenticeship.”
What were some key milestones in your career progression within the company?
Maya:Â Some key milestones in my career progression within SEP2 includes:
- Investigation and project delivery skills
- Network+, Security+Â
- Security awareness campaign skillsÂ
- Apprenticeship distinctionÂ
Jamie: Some key milestones throughout my progression in SEP2 would be:
- Moving to SISÂ
- Passing my apprenticeshipÂ
- Helping build SEP2’s SOC
How do you feel your cyber security apprenticeship prepared you for your current position?Â
Maya: “My apprenticeship gave me the space and opportunities to learn within the role and has allowed me to try out many different areas within my department, so that I can participate in the work that interests me the most.”
Jamie: “My apprenticeship gave me an amazing opportunity to get into the industry with less pressure and more time to learn. As an apprentice, you have lower workloads and dedicated time to learn each week, which allows you to ease into the role, even if it feels overwhelming at first.”
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?Â
Maya: “In any role where you have something to learn: ask questions. Asking questions shows that you are keen and engaged with learning and progressing, a trait that the people around you will notice and will most likely lead you to more opportunities to develop skills and interests being passed your way.“
Jamie: “Ask people if you can shadow them; it’s always best to learn from those around you. Another piece of advice: don’t stress too much about the apprenticeship itself. The main benefit is the on-the-job experience. An apprenticeship will equip you with skills that are valuable in any job, thanks to the extensive experience you’ll gain. I would recommend an apprenticeship over university for cyber security and most tech related jobs.”
Looking back, what was the most valuable part of your apprenticeship experience?Â
Maya: “The most important thing to me has been the people I work with. I fondly recall the battles of getting a laptop set up in the London office from Leeds, and the patience Hunter from Sales and I had as we would read out license keys and error messages out to each other over a Teams call.”
Jamie: “The most valuable part of my apprenticeship was the on-the-job training. My colleague Praag was the MVP, he helped me learn a ton. His guidance and support were instrumental in my development.”
How has your perception of apprenticeships changed since you started at SEP2?Â
Maya: “I’ve developed a strong bias towards apprenticeships being the best route for this industry, particularly over university education. I feel that the only way to get value from your learning is by doing and really understanding, a need that is best met by apprenticeships where working with your team provides you the best opportunity for one-on-one learning from an expert.”
Jamie: “The amount of experience you gain is invaluable especially when compared to a more standard university route.”
Conclusion
We are committed to nurturing the next generation of cyber security professionals, providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed. As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we are proud of the achievements of our apprentices and the positive impact they have on our industry.
We hope Maya and Jamie’s stories can help inspire the next generation of cyber security experts. Together, we can build a stronger, more secure future.
