Cyber PATH student Dominic Johns, who is studying an MSc in Computer Systems Security at the University of South Wales, recently carried out an Internal Vulnerability Assessment (IVA) for a school in the West Midlands.
An IVA looks at what a cybercriminal could see and do if they were to gain access to an organisation’s internal network. In this interview with Dominic, he explains more about the service, what it taught him and how it benefits organisations.
This is the first time you have carried out an IVA. How did you feel about delivering the service?
Both excited and nervous. More so excited because I knew I would have the support of Cyber PATH supervisors who would be on hand if there was anything I wasn’t completely sure about. Overall, I was confident it would enable me to build important skills I need for my CV.
Was the training you received from your Cyber PATH supervisors effective?
Absolutely! They created a comfortable environment for me to learn, with helpful insights at every stage, but also let me push myself. They were always happy to accommodate any requests I had to make sure I could balance my workload and university studies.
How does this service benefit organisations like the school you were working with?
An IVA identifies critical vulnerabilities, as well as more technical issues, within an organisation’s everyday systems. It breaks down very technical problems and issues into digestible chunks.
Most importantly, I would say an IVA gives organisations peace of mind – they know that their systems have been reviewed by experts and can rest assured that any risks that may have previously gone unnoticed have been identified. They also receive accessible and practical guidance on where their cyber security can be improved.
How did the experience improve your understanding of cyber security within organisations?
It enabled me to see how common policies and security measures are implemented in the real world, as opposed to in a textbook example. For a student, this kind of firsthand insight into how organisations view and manage their cyber security is both unique and invaluable.
It also helped me to build my confidence in delivering services and learn more about what it’s like to work in a cybersecurity role.
What would you say to a university student who is thinking about applying to the Cyber PATH programme?
This is the opportunity of a lifetime. From developing your cyber security knowledge and skills, to building your personal network, to directly supporting SMEs, the opportunities the programme offers are exceptional.
The genuine kindness and passion the Cyber PATH supervisors show towards students rival the most devoted teachers and lecturers – they really want to see you thrive and make the most of the experience. I would absolutely recommend joining Cyber PATH!
