Cyber Security and Computer Forensics BSc(Hons): After you graduate

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing has a specialist Employability Team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market, employers' expectations and requirements, and how to apply for a post-study two-year work visa.

The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting. For example, here students are practising their interview skills with employers at a 'speed interviewing' event on campus.

Listen to employability co-ordinator Katie Llewellyn-Cripps talk about how we prepare our students for employment:

With our increasing dependence on networks and computer systems comes an increase in the need for IT security experts and demand for security remains strong.

Research released in April 2010* demonstrates a growing skills gap in the cyber security sector, and the need to build a new pool of talented people to enter the profession in the years to come. Over 90% of those surveyed stated it was already difficult to recruit cyber security professionals and nearly 60% of respondents indicated that the number of cyber security jobs required to cope with attacks will increase in the coming years. (Research conducted by the Sans Institute, 2010 reported on Cyber Security Challenge.)

"We have to improve the quality and quantity of talented people entering the profession to accommodate escalating requirements... The current system is not delivering enough skilled professionals to meet the cyber security challenges we face." (Judy Baker, director of Cyber Security Challenge UK)

"Online fraud cost UK businesses an average of £400,000 last year, a report reveals" (Source: 2010 UK Online Fraud Report reported in Computer Weekly).

Possible opportunities for graduates include roles in information security such as network security engineers, forensic analysts, information security crime investigators, security architects, disaster recovery managers and security analysts.

Potential career roles for graduates of this course include web security engineer, forensic investigator, network engineer and application support. As this is a joint honours course, your career options will also include specialisms in your other area of study.