The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
IT Helpdesk / Support Specialist
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Troubleshooting, following procedures, documentation, customer service (internal).
You're ready to move on when
- You've consistently resolved tickets by following defined processes.
- You're known for your meticulous documentation of issues and solutions.
- You've shown a keen interest in the 'why' behind security incidents or access controls.
- 2
Technical Apprenticeship
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Practical application of technical skills, structured learning, working in a professional environment.
You're ready to move on when
- You've completed a technical apprenticeship with a focus on IT or security.
- You've demonstrated a strong work ethic and a desire to learn complex subjects.
- Your apprenticeship projects involved adherence to standards or quality checks.
- 3
Information Security Internship
6-12 monthsSkills to master
- Exposure to security operations, basic compliance tasks, working in a security team.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully completed an internship in an information security or IT audit team.
- Your internship projects involved gathering evidence or reviewing configurations.
- Your mentors would describe you as detail-oriented and eager to learn.


