Opportunities Provided by iCSS

EC-Council Certification Initiative

In autumn 2022, we announced an exciting opportunity for MSc students on the Cyber Security course to further enhance their CVs in the current competitive job market. This initiative from the Institute of Cyber Security for Society (iCSS) aims to sponsor a number of MSc students towards one EC-Council certification (among the following options):

• Certified encryption specialist (ECES)
• Certified incident handler (ECIH)
• Certified security operations center analyst (CSA)
• Certified threat intelligence analyst (CTIA)
• Certified network defender (CND)
• Certified disaster recovery professional (EDRP)

Eligibility

Eligible students are those enrolled on the MSc in Cyber Security (with or without Industrial Placement) and on the MSc Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with or without Industrial Placement).

Responsibilities

The sponsorship covers costs related to access to all EC-Council training material for the chosen certification (e.g., eBook and iLab) and the corresponding certification exam (one sitting). Students successful in the application process are required to complete the training and sit the exam by 15 April 2023, and to share their experience either through a statement or through interview, which may be used in related promotional material.

Follow the Resources for Students page for information about next year’s opportunity.

iCSS Photography Competition: Living, Learning and Connecting in Cyberspace

We increasingly rely upon networked technologies and the internet infrastructures upon which these rely; the myriad miles of fibreoptic cables, the banks of servers, the lofty data centres and the ever-encircling satellites. However, these integral systems are often unseen, overlooked, and sometimes intentionally concealed. Additionally, the software and hardware that we see in our everyday environments – laptops, desktops, smartphones, smart devices and so forth – are often so entrenched in our way of being that we overlook our reliance upon them until they stop functioning; a power cut, server downtime, an empty battery.

In summer 2022, we held a competition for photograph submissions that engage with the human experiencing of cyberspace and its interconnected hardware and software. Submitted photographs were judged for up to 26 prizes in 3 categories (Kent staff, Kent students and non-Kent participants). View the winning entries here.

CIISec student membership

iCSS has an academic partnership with the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec). This means that our students can benefit from a CIISec student membership while they are studying. Like all memberships, but especially at student level, you will get out what you put in!

• Make contacts and develop your network within the cyber security community.
• Develop skills that will help you with your career.
• Demonstrate skills and your desire to contribute to future employers.

At a student level there are plenty of ways to get involved with CIISec; even if you have no or little practical experience within the industry there are still opportunities to contribute. For example, there are opportunities to support the organisation of events, help at Career Development days at your University, become a student champion, win a CIISec award of Student of the Year, and get your work published.

If you are interested in the CIISec student membership, just send an email to cyber-info@kent.ac.uk with the subject “CIISec Student Membership”. In the body of the email provide the following personal details:

• Your name (first name & last name);
• Your Kent email;
• The course you are studying; and
• The sentence “I consent to iCSS sharing the provided personal details with CIISec for the purpose of student membership application.”

Deadline for application: 5pm Monday 12 December 2022

Opportunities Supported by iCSS and/or Provided by iCSS Partners

Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge is an annual cyber competition focusing on socio-technical strategy challenges related to cyber. In the past two years, iCSS supported a student team to compete in the challenge. The 2023 finals are being held at BT Tower on 23 and 24 February.

A Career in Cyber Security: How to break in and get ahead – 22 February, 5pm via Teams

Steve Kinghan is a retired military intelligence officer, with experience of offensive cyber operations at the Government level. Since leaving the Public Sector in 2021, Steve has fulfilled the role of Head of Cyber Operations at Hiscox Insurance, a market leading niche insurer with a global footprint.

At this online event, Steve discussed careers within Cyber and the broader application of the skills garnered through focussing on the Cyber industry.

Opportunities Provided by Other Organisations

SASIG Cybersecurity Skills Festival

This free virtual festival gives you a live all-day careers fair where candidates can speak directly to over 45 of the top UK IT security employers. They include Microsoft, BT, Barclays, CGI, Cabinet Office, and many others who are looking to hire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals – including you!

There’s also an all-day conference on the opportunities in cybersecurity, how to land those roles, career development, and everyday life in the industry.

Keep an eye on the SASIG website for information on future events.

Cyber Pathways: 15 November 2022

Cyber Pathways has been created to assist the skills gap issues in the Cyber Security marketplace and provide attendees with the necessary information and contacts to advance their cyber career. This event brought together the next generation of Cyber professionals along with delegates who are looking to cross train and enter the cyber market.

Learn more about Cyber Pathways on their website.