Can you hack it in cyber security?

CYBER security is a booming sector, and pay can be high for those who are adaptable in its quickly changing environment.

Ryan Pullen, a technical consultant at cyber consultancy PGI in Bristol, says: ‘I always loved problem-solving and technical challenges, so I began as an IT support engineer at PGI.’

After extra training, he now specialises in penetration testing (ethically hacking into systems to test their security), digital forensic analysis and online investigations.

Ryan, 23, says: ‘Cyber security offers rapid career advancement and is good fun.’

But he warns: ‘Hollywood glamorises cyber security, but it can take a long time to solve problems; it’s rarely an overnight success.

‘It is not as hard as many people imagine to enter this career, but the industry evolves quickly so you have to work hard to keep up. You must be willing to keep learning.’

Cyber security careers are not just for highlyqualified Problem-solver: Ryan experts. Brian Lord, PGI’s managing director, says: ‘Risk and compliance management means understanding risk issues — you can call on technical experts if required.

‘Even for some technical jobs, the basic skills can be taught.’

PGI and cyber recruitment specialist Hawker Chase have set up the Women in Cyber scheme to encourage women into an industry where only 20 per cent of the workforce is female.

The governmentsponsored programme offers a training course with a guaranteed job (see pgitl.com/ training /women-in-cyber)

Demand means pay is high for those who meet employers’ needs and starts at £30,000 to £40,000.