Ernesto Arias Aldana, Cyber Security Apprentice
Ernesto Arias Aldana is in his third year of the Cyber Security apprenticeship at the Open University. Mr Arias, 35, who works at Dundee & Angus College, was already doing an OU computing and IT degree when the opportunity appeared.
“My manager was very supportive and encouraging,” he says. “At the time, there was not a specific cyber security role within my department so I thought that it would fit nicely and would bring me opportunities to get experience and help my colleagues.
“As a result, I started getting actively involved in dealing with cyber threats, conducting digital forensics, cyber investigations and vulnerability assessments, evaluating new security solutions and their implementation and working with industry compliance and security standards.
“Thanks to the professional modules, I was able to produce useful documentation, start a security-related project and study additional courses, such as a hands-on ethical hacking course.”
When Mr Arias’s organisation suffered a cyberattack last year he put his skills to work, conducted an investigation and helped build more secure systems.
He believes his apprenticeship has assisted his professional development. “It’s also helped with getting recognition from colleagues and senior management, which led to my first Cyber Security role in November 2020.”
This case study was originally published in FutureScot.