Top firms to take on cyber security apprentices

Organisations such as Atos, Capgemini, IBM and BT will be offering apprenticeships in information security in a scheme established by  e-skills UK.

Security and defence companies QinetiQ and Cassidian, along with other smaller firms that specialise in information security, are getting involved in the programme, which should see over 100 apprentices taken on board by the summer.

E-Skills UK CEO Karen Price said she was happy that so many employers are involved in the initiative.

She said:

“I’m in no doubt that the apprenticeships will significantly help to widen access to the sector, by opening up opportunities to young people from a diverse range of backgrounds.”

Matthew Hancock, Skills and Enterprise Minister, believes that information security is growing in importance in everyday life. He feels that businesses should be offering training opportunities in this area in order to protect themselves against increasing threats in internet crime.

Hancock said:

“It is our goal to make choosing to go to university or take an apprenticeship the new norm. With high tech and important examples like this I can see that this is rapidly becoming a reality.”

With more of an emphasis on training in this area, professionals in the industry will need to ensure that they keep their skills up-to-date, as there will inevitably be increased competition with any future cyber security vacancies they may be keen to apply for. Businesses are being made more aware of the importance of protecting themselves against cyber-crime, and that trend is likely to continue.