2025-04-26 –, Seminar Room 1
You have probably heard of the move to professionalise the cyber security industry, but why should you care? Whether your focus is on red teaming, pen testing, vulnerability scanning or threat intelligence, you need to understand the shift in the industry that will, at some point in your career, have a fundamental effect on the way that you record achievement, demonstrate competence and define your experience. I'll talk you through the changes and how to align your career pathway with them.
I will provide a detailed synopsis of the move to professional registration that has been instigated by the UK Cyber Security Council, backed by central Government and funded by DSIT. There is still confusion in the technical security community about why a Professional Title matters, so I will explain the direction and the effect this is going to have on job searches in the near future. I will also talk about CPD, ethics and standards, and giving back to the industry, and how this should be recorded if you are an offensive consultant - what counts, what doesn't, and what YOU think should count. I'll ask attendees to give me their opinions about this and the move towards professionalisation as a whole. I'll open the floor to questions so we can discuss whether you think this is a good idea, how much you're willing to invest on your individual career path, and how to progress from Associate to Chartered status as your career progresses.
The Cyber Scheme
Debi heads up communications and early career development at The Cyber Scheme, an NCSC Assured examination and training company assessing competency of technical cyber security professionals at all levels, through rigorous training and mentoring courses and industry-leading technical assessments. The Cyber Scheme are also a Licensed Body for the UK Cyber Security Council, able to assess and recommend individuals for a Professional Title in Security Testing, Incident Response and non-specific Associate titles. Debi's focus is on supporting entry level talent to enter technical cyber security, raising awareness of professional registration and the importance of CPD. She also runs an innovative Sponsorship programme with the technical cyber industry where individuals can donate time and expertise, receive advance warning of legislative and industry changes from Government and other industry bodies, and liaise with like-minded professionals. Debi is a regular speaker and is passionate about encouraging women into careers in technical cyber.