IT security co-ordinator

You could do a foundation degree, degree or postgraduate course in:

• computing
• information systems
• project management
• business management

Courses with industry placements or summer internships might help you develop your skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a T Level in Digital Support and Security and then apply for a trainee IT cyber security position.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Cyber Security Technologist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Digital Forensic Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Protective Security Adviser Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Cyber Security Technical Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
• Advanced Digital Forensic Professional Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You may be able to start in a junior or assistant role by doing a Software and Data Level 2, or Hardware, Network and Infrastructure Level 2, Foundation Apprenticeship.

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

• a degree in a relevant subject

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start work as an IT support technician after your GCSEs or A levels.

You could then train on the job or get more qualifications to become an IT security co-ordinator.

You could apply to work as an IT security co-ordinator if you have experience in IT management, network engineering or cyber intelligence.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Chartered Institute of Information Security for professional development opportunities.

Further Information

You can find out more about working in IT and digital security from The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS)  and the UK Cyber Security Council .

As an IT security co-ordinator, you could:

• assess risks to computer systems and test security products
• design or upgrade security systems
• prepare for security breaches and plan how to minimise potential threats
• investigate breaches and use ethical hacking to find security flaws
• make sure security procedures meet network security standards
• advise organisations on how to improve their security

You could work at a client's business or in an office.