Thinking of applying for our cyber roles? Meet Chris from the team.

We have recently launched a campaign for Analyst’s to join the Cyber Security Operations team – when did you join the team?

I Joined Sellafield ltd and the Cyber Operations team in August 2022.

What does your job involve?

My job mainly focuses on investigating and responding to potential cyber security threats using various tools, along with performing statistical reporting and pro-active intelligence research.

What is a typical day like in your role?

The day-to-day role of Cyber Security Analyst starts with the morning handover from the shift before, making us aware of what’s happened that shift and responding to anything that requires attention. Then we start responding and investigating alarms; either discounting false positives or escalating cases such as blocking email addresses/websites/domains that have been flagged as malicious.

This builds up most of our days/nights, however, we also monitor a central cyber mailbox, along with a SPAM mailbox. Users send potential SPAM/malicious emails to these mailboxes which are then investigated and responded to. Along with this, we perform pro-active research for intelligence throughout the day so this can be applied ahead of events and later in the day or certain days of the week. We also perform statistical reporting that is sent out to the business/partners.

How did you get into your current job role?

I joined Sellafield Ltd in 2022 through applying through the Sellafield website. I was working in the IT industry and had been for 5 years and was looking for a change of role when I saw the vacancy. I applied for the role and was offered the job.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy my role as I have found that I am always busy and can use a lot of problem solving and investigation skills, which I have built up over the years in IT. I can also apply my IT skills on a day-to-day basis.

What is the hardest part of your job?

The hours are long due to working 12.5 hour shifts and the very early get-ups are not the nicest. However, this is outweighed by the shift pattern that gives me 6 days off after working 4 shifts (2 day shifts and 2 night shifts) and enjoying the role.

Why did you decide to pursue this career?

As I was already working in IT, I found that Cyber Security has always been an interesting subject and area of IT. So, when I saw the opportunity to move into this area, I took it enabling me to explore this area and develop my skills.

What can this type of job lead on to?

This role will provide skills that could lead to Digital Forensics and Incident Response roles or other roles within the Cyber Security and Information Assurance area.

What advice would you give to somebody considering this role as a career?

Do it, it’s a great opportunity.