Case Study

I am in full-time employment. My current team was being disbanded and I was looking for a new job. I was at a job fair and came across the University of Sunderland's stand and really liked the sound of the course. After walking around the fair, it still felt like the best option for me to do. So I took another role in the same company and started studying.

There are many good aspects of the course. The options to gain additional qualifications during the course is one of the best. As part of the network module, we had the option to prepare for the CCNA Security, and as part of the cybersecurity fundamentals course we got the option to join the University staff on a CyberStar training course, take a test and as a result, got the level 2 business awareness in cybersecurity qualification.

The staff are all approachable and want to help you be successful. The other students are also fantastic, we all help each other out and if we find good resources we share them amongst each other. I’ve made some great contacts in other companies through the other part students, which enables me to be more successful in my day job.

The items that are taught are relevant to the industry today. I’ve been able to take something I’ve been taught on a Thursday night and apply it at work, or at least be able to explore with my colleagues how we could use a topic, or what would we do in a certain situation.

And finally, the library book buying, you can recommend a book to be bought for your course, and if it deemed good enough it is purchased for the library. The library not only has hard copies of books but also e-copies that you can download or read online.

Students should take advantage of the additional qualifications they can study for. It will set them apart from other students. I want to help reinforce the security culture at the company I work for. I’m also looking at how I get more experience in the cybersecurity field, either through studying for a PhD or changing the role to a more security-focused area. Ultimately I’d like to be involved in making the North East a more cyber aware location.

Studying at the University was really enjoyable. I’m glad I took the chance and applied to do the course, it is a decision I will not regret."

Published 24 July 2019