University of Plymouth students who have successfully completed the cyber security analyst degree apprenticeship pathway will now gain automatic associate membership of the Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP).
The IISP is the not-for-profit body dedicated to raising the standard of professionalism in information security. The University of Plymouth is the first university to be accredited under this new scheme.
The institute has been working closely with the UK Tech Partnership and other industry and academic bodies for several years to define the criteria for cyber security degree apprenticeships, which are based on the IISP skills framework.
Professor Steven Furnell, IISP fellow and head of the School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics at the University of Plymouth, said: “I am delighted that students from our cyber security analyst degree apprenticeship pathway will be able to graduate with such a clear endorsement of how their qualifications and experience are aligned to the needs of the profession.”
Dr Ismini Vasileiou, programme lead of the digital and technology solutions cyber security analyst pathway and equality and diversity faculty chair, added: “It is exciting to be offering apprenticeships at the Higher Education level and working alongside the IISP will ensure that our graduates meet the future qualification and skills requirements to serve the profession. We are also committed to addressing the gender diversity challenges in the industry by attracting more females onto our courses.”
Peter Fischer, a fellow of the IISP, pinpointed a recognised skills shortage and the fact that almost all current practitioners have come into the profession from other disciplines as significant challenges currently facing the cyber security profession that the University of Plymouth’s apprenticeship pathway might help to overcome.
He said: “Cyber security degree apprenticeships represent a major step towards addressing both challenges. The IISP is keen to support this career path into the industry and the University of Plymouth’s accreditation recognises that on graduation, individuals exceed the rigorous requirements for IISP associate membership.”