James Jassie - Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist apprentice
- 1. James Jassie – Article – NHS – Level 4 CyberSecurity Technologist Please brieflydescribe yourrole at UnitedLincolnshire HospitalsNHSTrust. - What are the main objectives inyourrole? Actingas a gatekeeper–Managinginitial accesstothe network. Managingthe dooraccess control system– producingIDs.Administratingthe NHSCare IdentityService asaRegistration Authorityofficer. Managing accessto mostsystemsacrossthe trust – control of around75% of systems. - So whatkindof tasksdoesthis meanyouneedto typicallyperformonadayto day basis? Workingthe service desk –requestfulfilment. Providingadvice tomanyvaryingqueries. Providingprojectsupport –intermsof advice andproducingguidance forendusers. - How bigisthe local and/orwiderteamyouare a part of? My teamisonlysmall – 6 officersanda teamlead.The structure of the departmentiscomplex at bestand we are currentlyrestructuringtoo. We have Firstlevel support(made upof myteam(SystemAccessServices) and the Service Desk team) We have Secondlevel support(TechnicalServicesteam, Builds&deliveryteam, Infrastructure team) Thenwe have Third level (Network&Serverteams,telecomsteam) We have Applicationteams(Applicationdevelopment(Self-explanatory) andApplication services(appsupport,interfacing,patchingof appservers,projecttransition)) Security& Compliance (where Iamhopingtomove to duringthe apprenticeship) ICT Operations(NownamedDigital Delivery) isaround55 people strong.This isinpartnership withour ICT programmes(NownamedDigital Transformation) teamof around30 staff(project managers,businesschange,training,projectsupport) - How doesyourrole ultimatelyprotectorsupportthe clinical servicesof the Trust? Stringentcheckswhenperformingourwork(simplethingslike double-checkingprofessional registerswhensettingupaccess) Ensuringstaff have the accesstheyneedto performtheirjobs,ensuringall requestsare justified. - How longhave youworkedinyourcurrent role? 5 yearsalmostto the day.
- 2. - What do youlike mostabout what youdo? The abilitytomake a difference andknow it.The culminationof everythingwe dokeepsthe organisationrunning. - Please give some examplesof the mostimportantthingsyou have learnedinyour apprenticeshipthathave impactedyourworkandcapabilities. - Have youbeengivenmore responsibilitysince startingyourapprenticeship?If so,please give a brief description. Notreally,Ihave alwaysstrivedformore and sohave had more responsibilitythanmyJD states. I suppose one pointisthe abilitytoupdate myteams’areaof the intranetsoour staff have an up to date area to referto.(Thisisstill ongoing) - What do youenjoymostaboutdoingyour apprenticeship? Everything.Livingit. Variationsof workandassignmentsubmissions(flexibility) –podcastsetc. - In what(if any) wayshas yourapprenticeshipbeendifferenttoyourinitial expectations? I wasn’tcertainI wouldgainskillstoputintopractice.Cyber securityisa difficultfieldtogetinto and the trainingmarketisfloodedwithall mannerof differentroutes. - In what(if any) wayshas yourrole beendifferentsince the COVID-19outbreak? More facilitationof remote access.Developingprocesstosupporthome usersineffective and safe ways. - Afteryoucomplete yourapprenticeship,what are yourhopesforyourcareer development? I’dlike tostay at my currenttrust and workto improve thingsfromwithinthe securityand compliance team. Perhaps some formof managementposition(Ihave aMary Seacole leadership&managementcertification(NHSLeadershipAcademy)) Potentiallymovinghigherinthe organisation(Iquite fancydeputyCEO).Orperhapsif that doesn’tpanout,my ownbusinessbuiltaroundprotectionof privacy.
- 3. - What advice wouldyougive tosomeone consideringanapprenticeship,inparticularL4 CST? Havingthe drive to do thisishalf the battle,havingthe courage to take the firststepsetsyou free.ForCST – live cybersecurity –personal preferencesforarticles/podcasts.Lifeingeneral. Any other comments you would like to add in general? Any comments you would like to add in regards to the ATP, your trainer, mentor etc. My mentor is an absolute diamond and has the knowledge of how life and work can sometimes delay work. Such an understanding and supportive person. My trainer has been an absolute pleasure to learn from. He feels more of a facilitator rather than a trainer and clearly knows how to get the best out of his students. Clearly has lots of life experience and is very relatable. The ATP have been great. The level of support provided by all staff has been just right (not too intrusive) and I have always felt respected whoever I have spoken to.