A Cyber Security Path Success Story

From SEP2 Cyber School to SOC Analyst

At SEP2, we’re passionate about nurturing new talent and helping individuals discover their potential in the cyber security field. We believe in providing accessible pathways into the industry, and nothing makes us prouder than seeing a successful cyber security career path unfold. This year, we’re thrilled to share the journey of Sufian Hussain, who went from attending our Cyber School in April of 2024 to becoming a valued member of our Security Operations Centre (SOC) team.

We had a chat with Sufian to understand their path to SEP2 and their experience along the way. Their insights into navigating a cyber security career path are invaluable, and we hope they inspire others considering a career in cyber security.

SEP2 Cyber School

Question: Can you tell us about your experience attending the SEP2 Cyber School session at our Leeds HQ? What were your initial impressions of the cyber security industry, and what aspects of the session sparked your interest the most in pursuing a cyber security career path?

Answer: I first came to SEP2 Cyber School with Bradford College, and the experience was incredibly useful to understand the practical side of cyber security for me.

The presentation was very engaging, and I was always able to ask questions. The staff started by explaining how the field is divided (the blue team and the red team), why cyber security is essential in the modern world, and the risks we face without proper security measures.

Since my understanding of the subject was mostly based on hacking scenes in movies, practical demonstrations really caught my attention. Examples such as Remote Desktop Access and checking if my personal credentials had been compromised (or ‘pwned’) truly proved how essential cyber security is in our daily lives.

I asked a lot of questions at the SEP2 Cyber School, and the staff were extremely helpful, showing me various career pathways I could follow, including different certifications and degree options, to secure a job in this field. This experience ultimately inspired me to enrol in a cybersecurity bootcamp by CAPSLOCK.

I asked a lot of questions at the SEP2 Cyber School, and the staff were extremely helpful, showing me various career pathways I could follow, including different certifications and degree options, to secure a job in this field.

Leeds Digital Festival Connection

Question: A year ago, you chatted with us at Leeds Digital Festival. What led you to that event, and what stood out to you about SEP2 during those conversations? How did that interaction influence your cyber security career path aspirations?

Answer: The Leeds Digital Festival event was helpful to gain more knowledge of the field, meet the SEP2 team and clear any doubts I had before starting the CAPSLOCK bootcamp.

The Path to SEP2

Question: After the festival, what steps did you take to pursue a cyber security career path? What resources did you find most helpful, and what challenges did you overcome?

Answer: Following the event, I decided to further my education through the CAPSLOCK bootcamp. This was a 16-week intensive training course where I gained a lot of knowledge across all the different areas of cyber security. I successfully completed my CompTIA Security+ certification after the training.

As I attended SEP2 Cyber School previously, it helped me focus on the specific role I wanted: a Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst.

Joining the SOC Team

Question: What was your experience like applying for and joining SEP2 as a SOC Analyst? What have been your initial thoughts on the role, and what are you most excited to learn and achieve in your cyber security career path?

Answer: The application process was quite simple, I was always supported in the interview process by Dave Gore, People Manager at SEP2, for any issue I had. The joining process was great, the entire SEP2 team is very friendly and supportive.

I’m loving the role so far, there are loads of things to learn and constant new challenges and for now I am most excited to complete Blue Team Level 1, a practical certification that covers the fundamentals of SOC work, including Incident Response and Digital Forensics, and learn new things.

Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Question: Based on your journey, what advice would you give to someone who is interested in a cyber security career path, particularly those who might be just starting out or considering attending a program like SEP2 Cyber School?

Answer: I would suggest that people attend programs like SEP2 Cyber School because they offer a good introduction to the area.

I believe SEP2 Cyber School is a fantastic initiative. For instance, I always used the same password across all my emails. Cyber awareness hasn’t been widely taught to students, but given how much we use technology, I feel training like this should be much more common.

Looking Ahead: A Future Together on the Cyber Security Career Path

Sufian’s story is a testament to the power of engagement, education, and opportunity in forging a successful cyber security career path. We are incredibly proud to welcome them to the SEP2 Team and are excited to support their continued growth and development as a SOC Analyst. Their journey exemplifies our commitment to investing in the next generation of cyber security professionals and their career paths, and we look forward to many more success stories to come.

If your school would be interested in participating in SEP2 Cyber School, reach out to Dave Gore, People Manager at SEP2, at [email protected].