8 August 2012

Interested in cyber security? Come meet the guys who do it for a living as some of the UK’s biggest employers head to Lancaster University.

On Friday the 7 September, the major employers in UK cyber security and defence will descend on Lancaster in a bid to find the next generation of professionals.

The Cyber Security Careers Fair is the first event of its kind ever held in the northwest and will serve as a vital conduit for employers and potential employees to engage and discuss careers in the cyber security industry.

The fair will be held at Lancaster University and run in partnership with security technology company Raytheon and the Cyber Security Challenge UK, who run a national set of competitions aimed at filling a desperate need for more cyber security talent.

Employers already signed up to attend include industry leaders such as HP, QinetiQ, KPMG and Cassidan. Alongside them will be professional and education bodies such as CompTIA, (ISC)², CREST, Infosec Skills, 7Safe, OU and RHUL. Ultimate Graphics and the Police E Crime Unit will also be represented.

Dr Daniel Prince, Business Partner Manager for Security at Lancaster University said: ‘This is an ideal way for those interested in cyber security to talk to companies and find out what a career in cyber security is all about and how to get ahead. We are especially happy to be partnering with Raytheon, who bring a wealth of industry experience and knowledge to the event, and the Cyber Security Challenge UK, who provide a vital and legitimate mechanism for talented and enthusiastic people from diverse backgrounds to enter the industry.’

During the fair a number of Challenge Sponsors will be running professional skills workshops to develop attendee’s interview and presentation skills, increasing their chances of getting a job in the industry.

Vincent Blake, Raytheon UK’s Head of Cyber, commented: ‘Raytheon UK is intricately involved in the Cyber Security Challenge UK and raising awareness of the need for better cyber capabilities in business and the public sector. The overall need to develop skills and careers in this burgeoning domain is vital to us as we seek to address our customers’ needs, in this rapidly advancing market.’

The careers fair and the educational sessions are free and registration is now open.

The following organisations are helping in various ways to deliver the Cyber Security Challenge UK and make it a success:  

• Cabinet Office, Office for Information Assurance and Cyber Security
• HP
• PwC 
• BT
• Cassidian
• GCHQ
• QinetiQ
• SANS Institute
• Sophos
• 2E2
• 7Safe
• CompTIA
• Dtex Systems
• Goscomb
• HMGCC
• Infosec Skills
• IRM
• (ISC)2
• Metropolitan Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeU)
• Raytheon UK
• KPMG
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• Lancaster University
• DC3
• Royal Mail Group
• Ultimate Communications
• DISA
• Field FisherWaterhouse LLP
• Ultra Electronics
• Information Assurance Advisory Council (IAAC)
• Invigia
• Level 3
• Lockheed Martin
• MEMSET
• Northrop Grumman
• The Open University
• RSA
• Symantec
• Trusted Management Ltd
• Unisys
• Vodafone
• AFCEA
• BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
• Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST)
• e-Skills UK
• Get Safe Online
• Institute of Information Security Professionals (ISSP)
• The Information Security Awareness Forum (ISAF)
• Information System Security Association (ISSA)
• US Cyber Challenge