A Cyber Security Academy, accredited by the University of Derby, has been launched by Atos. The twelve week course will see over twenty graduates fast-tracked by the end of the year.

Acadamy graduates will be expected to secure a full-time role at Atos applying the knowledge they have gained to the benefit of Atos’ clients. Trainees will be awarded an Advanced Diploma in IT Security from Derby University, equivalent to the first year of an advanced cyber security degree.

The course aims to give graduates real-world practices and techniques. Graduates will be able to build and operate state-of-the-art, enterprise-level cyber defences, champion the adoption of those defences, and manage their implementation and on-going operation. Successful graduates will be able to assess business requirements, industry developments as well as meet the requirements set by the Government and law.

Abdirahman Wardhere, an Atos graduate, commented: "This course has given me the skills and confidence to start to build my IT career with specialist skills in cyber security. Everything I’ve learned can be applied to the clients I work with and it feels amazing to be able to share the knowledge I have with my new colleagues too."

Mike Horton, Head of Security at Atos, said, "Our Cyber Security Academy will help us to train and develop our people now and for the future enabling them to have the skills required to be at the forefront of cyber security. We’re already leaders in this area managing complex and secure contracts across the public and private sector. We know we are well placed to give people the skills they need to be experts in this field and we’re pleased to already see our apprentices and graduates successfully complete the course and bring these skills back into the workplace."