Working for the National Cyber Force (NCF) – case studies

Daniel gained IT skills in the workplace before obtaining a degree in ethical hacking as a mature student. Upon graduating he joined GCHQ and then made the move into NCF.  

What is your role in the National Cyber Force? 

I work as a security specialist within NCF operations. It is my role is to work with colleagues and partners to gather intelligence to support operations.  The work is incredibly interesting, challenging and requires us to stay on top of the latest developments in our respective fields.  

What is it like to work in the National Cyber Force? 

We’re given a lot of time to develop new skills and the latitude to approach problems in whichever way we think makes the most sense. The people here are diverse, driven and welcoming; it’s a great team and I’m proud to be a part of it. 

Any tips you can share for people interested in a cyber focussed career? 

Check out TechFirst a government-backed outreach and education programme designed to create opportunities for talented young people in future-focused tech careers.

Ellie, National Cyber Force Outreach Team 

Ellie’s interest in working for the intelligence community was sparked during a visit from GCHQ to her school. This led to her decision to include two STEM subjects at A Level and complete a 12-month computing course before applying to the GCHQ Apprenticeship scheme. 

What motivated you to apply to work for the National Cyber Force? 

My final placement on the GCHQ apprenticeship led me to the National Cyber Force, and I applied to join for my first permanent position. It’s a fascinating area of work and offers a wide variety of roles, from hands on work, to more strategic elements, and the chance to work with a variety of organisations, all contributing to national security.   

What do you like most about working for the National Cyber Force?