Crack the code on securing a great career
Cyber security is an increasingly vital component of modern life and global technology firm CGI’s acclaimed STEM from Home project has helped inspire young people to consider fulfilling and fascinating opportunities in the sector
HACKING into companies’ computer systems can actually be a solid career choice – even though it sounds like a plot from TV’s Line of Duty.
Ethical hacking is just one option for careers in cyber security – an increasingly important aspect of life due to technology’s seismic impact on society. Yet although it is now so vital, not enough people are considering jobs in cyber security – a fact that global technology firm CGI is keen to change.
The company has a history of actively encouraging young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and is promoting cyber security as part of this.
An introduction to what is involved is included in CGI’s innovative STEM from Home project which was set up at the beginning of the first lockdown to help keep young people entertained and educated throughout the pandemic.
Its popularity has exceeded the company’s expectations with thousands of children taking part in the online activities, which include games, quizzes and challenges that can all be done at home online with standard computer facilities.
Each component of the programme has a different theme, weith the most recent being cyber security. Its growing importance has been highlighted by the
pandemic and the increase in “phishing” – aimed at fooling people into clicking onto links which will breach their online security.
The shift to homeworking has also meant many firms have had to reassess their cyber security to make sure their systems are safe. In addition, the information revolution that society is currently experiencing has resulted in a greater need for good cyber security because of the subsequent increase in data and the number of different types of networked electronic devices. It means there is a growing need for a workforce skilled in the area.
“If we as a nation are going to have a sufficient number of people working in cyber security we need to do more to interest people in the industry,” said Richard Holmes, CGI’s head of cyber security in the UK.
“We want young people to know you can have an interesting and fulfilling career in cyber security and STEM from Home’s section on it is all part and parcel of this.”
Cyber security is integral to all CGI’s work and Holmes points out that it is becoming increasingly important in almost every aspect of life and business.
“The team I look after are a group of professionals that have made cyber security their speciality, but outside of that we need all of our people who are working in STEM industries to have an understanding of cyber security because it feeds into pretty much everything,” said Holmes. “You do need experts to tackle some of the deeper, more detailed work but everyone needs an appreciation of cyber security whether you are building a career on a STEM background or an employee in any other kind of company.”
Regular surveys of clients’ needs have shown CGI that cyber security is becoming a greater priority and is now top of the list for many.
People working in the industry now have to understand the different threats companies face and what measures need to be taken to eliminate risk, Holmes explains.
These could involve technical controls or policies and procedures and training for employees on what they should and should not be doing. Once that is achieved, computer systems have to be monitored to make sure there is no suspicious activity.
Cyber security experts need to understand the latest threats, what the implications are of any potential compromise and what steps they should take to mitigate any security breach.
“If you have a suspected breach the quicker you spot it and the quicker you respond significantly reduces the disruption you may have,” said Holmes.
He manages a team of 250 cyber security professionals who perform these roles, often as part of a bigger service CGI is providing. “We do operational monitoring of services for clients, penetration testing and we have ethical hackers who try to hack into IT systems and test they are not vulnerable. We help customers understand whether they have the appropriate controls for their business,” he said.
“Ethical hackers have good fun but it is hard work because they continually have to update their skills and understand the latest threats.
“You might be given the credentials of a junior person in a company so you can get into the building and see what systems you can access and what you can find out.
“Whether we are supporting critical services, the functioning of local government or utilities companies or the defence and space sectors, we are looking to make sure all of the services provided are secure.”
Holmes said he continues to be fascinated by cyber security, adding that he feels lucky to have built a career in the field.
“We want young people to know they can have an interesting and fulfilling career in cyber security, but even if they don’t want to make it their career it is still worth having an understanding of it as it is an increasingly important aspect of many jobs, including those in engineering, information management and computing,” said Holmes.
STEM from Home: cgi.com/uk/stem-from-home