The telecoms firm BT says it’s recruiting 900 people to work in its cyber-security business in the next 12 months. BT already employs over 2500 cyber-security people and has security operations centres around the world, with annual revenues growing at a double-digit rate, the telco says. It says it addresses consumer, business and governmental security needs – from antivirus and parental controls in the home, to complex managed security as used by multinational companies, banks and national governments.
BT expects to take-on and train 170 graduates and apprentices, as part of that 900 recruitment intake into cybersecurity and related support services roles.
Graduates and apprentices will undergo training in BT’s Security Academy in physical security, penetration testing, threat intelligence, risk management, security operations and sales. As well as hiring from universities, BT takes part in a number of hackathon-style “war-game” competitions, such as Cyber Security Challenge UK and the international Cambridge 2 Cambridge cyber security challenge, to identify talent. Contestants take part in simulations of cyber-attacks pitting their skills against other participants, to see who has the strongest cybersecurity skills.
While most roles will be in the UK, many at the company’s security operations centres in London, Sevenoaks and Cardiff, BT is also looking to hire across Continental Europe, the Americas, the Middle-East and Asia-Pacific.
Mark Hughes, President of BT Security, pictured, says: “A number of high-profile security and data breaches have dominated the headlines in recent months, and this has led to a surge in interest from both consumers and IT departments wanting to know how best they can protect themselves in the digital world. BT plans to remain at the forefront, innovating in cybersecurity, by hiring some of the best talent while training up the next generation of experts at our BT Security Academy.”
The firm is holding an apprentice open afternoon in central London; potential recruits can apply at http://bit.ly/1UVt4qJ.
