Logicalis to launch Jersey’s first cyber academy

Wednesday 20 September 2017

Logicalis is to launch Jersey’s first cyber academy as well as an apprenticeship programme training young Islanders to become cyber security experts.

The Logicalis Cyber Academy and Apprenticeship Pathway will be a four-year training programme teaching students and school leavers the necessary skills to work in cyber security.

Apprentices will gain industry-recognised qualifications and work with Logicalis consultants to develop expertise in specific areas of IT security. 

Paul Johnson, Security Operations Manager, Logicalis, said: “Our immediate aim is to grow our own talent, helping bring on young people with the right skills to work in cyber security and managed IT services. However, our wider aim is to create a highly skilled generation of young Islanders who can go out and work anywhere in the Channel Islands or beyond.”

During the first two years of the programme, apprentices will work alongside professionals across Logicalis to build up expertise in firewalls, networking, penetration testing (pen tests), and administrative roles. Logicalis will then work with the apprentice to create a bespoke programme for the last two years helping them follow their chosen pathway.

Mr Johnson said: “Over the years Logicalis has taken on a number of people with learning differences, including a person through JET who has Asperger’s, and we are visiting schools, to help give pupils an insight into what working in IT security could be like. Through the Academy, pupils who show an aptitude will be able to join us for vendor training and start learning with the apprentices.

“We’re looking for young people with a passion for IT – the sort of people who might be into building their own computer, or coding their own programmes, who are excited by IT and will be able to learn and work in their chosen field to become experts.”

Tom Bale, Business Development and Technical Director, Logicalis, said: “Cyber crime has risen dramatically in the past few years as it becomes a weapon to attack businesses and governments, as well as individuals. At Logicalis we are investing heavily in security training so we can offer organisations the security services they need to protect themselves against the growing threat from cyber crime.”