Spotlight on a Cyber Security Apprentice

Choosing an apprenticeship wasn’t the traditional route into cyber security, but for me, it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Combining hands-on experience with structured learning has given me genuine insight into the industry and helped me build confidence in a fast-moving, constantly evolving field.

I chose the Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist apprenticeship because I wanted to learn by doing. Cyber security is a practical discipline, and I felt that full‑time classroom learning wouldn’t give me the exposure I needed to real-world threats, systems, and environments. The apprenticeship offered the perfect balance: gaining industry-recognised qualifications while working in a professional setting and learning directly from experienced security professionals.

Another major factor was the opportunity to earn while I learn. Making a career change and returning to university full‑time wasn’t financially viable for me, and being able to apply new knowledge immediately in the workplace has reinforced my learning, making it both purposeful and relevant.

No two days are the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most. A typical day might start with checking security alerts and dashboards, reviewing logs, or responding to potential incidents. I often work with colleagues to investigate suspicious activity, assess vulnerabilities, or support ongoing security operations.

Alongside this, I spend time on apprenticeship coursework, studying areas such as networking, threat intelligence, and security controls. There’s also a lot of collaboration—attending meetings, discussing security improvements, and learning from more senior team members. It’s a great mix of technical tasks, problem-solving, and continuous learning.

One of my favourite projects involved supporting a vulnerability assessment and helping to analyse the results. Being able to identify weaknesses, understand their potential impact, and contribute to remediation plans was incredibly rewarding. It made me feel like my work genuinely mattered and was helping to improve the organisation’s security posture.

I’ve also enjoyed tasks that involve investigating alerts and piecing together what’s happening behind the scenes—it can feel a bit like digital detective work.

A major highlight has been the growth in my confidence. At the start, cyber security felt overwhelming due to the sheer volume of knowledge involved. Over time, I’ve gone from asking basic questions to actively contributing ideas, taking ownership of tasks, and explaining concepts to others.

Another highlight has been working alongside supportive colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and mentor me. This real-world exposure is something you simply can’t replicate in a classroom.

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing work responsibilities with academic study. Managing deadlines, revision, and full‑time work took some adjusting, but it has helped me develop strong time‑management and organisational skills.

Technically, there have been moments where concepts felt complex or intimidating, especially early on. However, breaking problems down, asking questions, and practising regularly has helped me push through those challenges and build resilience.

After completing my apprenticeship, I hope to progress into a full‑time cyber security role, continuing to build my technical expertise and specialising further—whether that’s in security operations, threat analysis, or another area of interest. Long term, I’d like to keep developing professionally, gaining additional certifications, and taking on more responsibility within a security team.

Overall, the apprenticeship has given me a strong foundation for my career, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.