Cyber Security Technical Professional - Degree Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Summary
In a world increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, cyber threats are a growing risk to every industry—from finance and energy to transport, healthcare and beyond. The Cyber Security Technical Professional Apprenticeship offers both employers and apprentices the opportunity to meet this challenge head-on by developing advanced cyber security capability through a structured, work-based learning programme.
For apprentices, this degree-level apprenticeship provides a clear pathway into one of the most critical and high-demand fields in today’s workforce. You'll gain deep technical knowledge and hands-on experience in identifying, analysing, and managing cyber risks; designing and operating secure systems; and responding effectively to security incidents. You’ll also build vital professional skills—like leadership, critical thinking and ethical decision-making—that prepare you to operate with confidence and autonomy in fast-paced, high-responsibility environments. What's more, you finish the apprenticeship programme with a highly-sought-after BSC (Hons) degree awarded by Lancaster Univesity.
For employers, investing in this apprenticeship builds in-house expertise to protect your organisation’s systems, assets and reputation. Apprentices will apply what they learn directly to your business context, helping to drive security innovation, ensure compliance, and respond to ever-evolving digital threats.
This apprenticeship goes beyond academic learning—it integrates real-world practice, team leadership and technical excellence, all while aligning with legal, ethical and professional standards. Whether you're looking to start a career in cyber security or strengthen your organisation's defences, this apprenticeship is a smart, future-focused investment.
Apprenticeship standard dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21 Sep 2026
|
University Centre
|
3 Years
|
Next steps
As an Employer
If you would like to offer this as an apprenticeship vacancy within your organisation, enrol one of your existing employees on this apprenticeship or simply find out more about supporting an apprenticeship within your organisation, please complete the Enquire Now form above and a member of our Business Development Team will be in touch within 2 working days to advise you on next steps.
As an Apprentice
If you are interested in securing an apprenticeship as a Cyber Security Technical Professional, please visit our Vacancies page to check for any suitable roles.
If there are currently no roles available, please submit an enquiry form using the Enquire Now button above to register your interest. We will use this information to let you know when a suitable vacancy becomes available and also to advise you of any courses we offer that might advance your career goals in the meantime.
Key information
Entry Requirements
As an apprenticeship qualification, to complete this course you must be in employment with a job role related to Cyber Security and hold a Level 3 Computer related course or 120 UCAS points or equivalent.
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths qualifications will need to achieve this level prior to taking their end point assessment (EPA).
How will the Apprenticeship be funded?
As the employer
How your apprenticeship is funded will depend on whether or not you pay the Apprenticeship Levy. If you do pay the Levy, your apprenticeship will be funded out of this, provided you have sufficient monies available. If you do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy, 95% of the apprenticeship will be funded by the Government, with the remaining 5% being funded by you. There may also be some further incentives offered by the Government which we will be able to advise you of when setting up your apprenticeship. Either way, B&FC's Business Development Team will be on hand to help you navigate the funding arrangements and support you through this process.
As the apprentice
One of the benefits of an apprenticeship is that, as the apprentice, you are not required to fund your training. You will also receive a wage for the work that you do with minimum hourly rates set by the Government. Your employer can choose to pay you more than the minimum wage, but they cannot pay you less. For details of current minimum wage rates for apprentices, please visit the Government website.
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will my Apprentice learn?
Knowledge
Your apprentice will develop a sound understanding of:
- The foundations of cyber security, including key concepts, threats, vulnerabilities, and the importance of risk mitigation and assurance.
- How operating systems, networks, and digital systems function, interact, and are secured against intrusion or misuse.
- Programming and software development in high- and low-level languages, including algorithms, system design, and secure coding principles.
- Information and data management, including big data, databases, statistical techniques, and data quality assurance.
- Cyber risk assessment and modelling techniques, security monitoring tools, incident response processes, and forensic investigation.
- Legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements in cyber security, and how these apply to system design, testing, and incident handling.
- System architecture and development methodologies, including secure system design, software engineering principles, and lifecycle management.
- Human factors in cyber security, such as user behaviour, cultural attitudes, and the role of individuals in maintaining secure systems.
Skills
Your apprentice will learn how to:
- Design, build, configure, and test secure digital systems and networks in line with technical specifications and security policies.
- Identify, analyse, and respond to threats, malware, and system vulnerabilities using ethical and structured methods.
- Write, test, and debug software to meet real-world needs, while applying secure programming practices and system-level thinking.
- Manage and analyse large data sets to identify patterns, performance issues, or security risks.
- Conduct risk assessments, build justified security cases, and implement mitigation strategies that align with business goals.
- Use specialist tools such as SIEM, simulation environments, and programming platforms to monitor, investigate, and improve system security.
- Present technical findings and project updates clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders.
- Collaborate with others to deliver secure, functional, and compliant systems, while adapting to change and prioritising tasks.
Behaviours
Apprentices will demonstrate:
- A strong commitment to ethical, legal and high-quality standards in all aspects of cyber security work.
- Professional responsibility and independent judgement when making technical or business-related decisions.
- A methodical and security-first mindset, with attention to detail and accuracy in their work.
- Resilience, flexibility, and composure when working under pressure or facing changing security threats.
- A collaborative and respectful approach to teamwork, recognising and valuing diverse perspectives.
- Initiative and enthusiasm for lifelong learning, personal development, and staying ahead of emerging cyber threats.
- Strong communication, leadership and influencing skills, supporting both technical and non-technical audiences.
- A proactive attitude to problem solving, innovation and advocating best practices in cyber security and beyond.
Expert Tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. This is especially important for apprenticeships where off-the-job training needs to align with apprentices' on-the-job experience.
How will the Apprenticeship be delivered?
The apprenticeship will typically be delivered over a 48-month period with additional time required to prepare for the End Point Assessment. Apprentices' time will be split 80:20 throughout the apprenticeship programme typically with four days a week spent at the employer premises learning on the job and one day a week spent off-site, undertaking classroom-based and workshop-based training at B&FC. This delivery model and the method of delivery can be varied to suit the needs of individual employers, including accommodating remote modes of study.
What support will I get from B&FC?
As the employer
Each employer is supported by an experienced member of our Business Development Team to set up their apprenticeship. For those employers who are completely new to the apprenticeship process, the Team will support them with all the necessary paperwork and administration to get their apprenticeship programme up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. For existing employers, their dedicated Client Services Manager will be an ongoing point of contact for all their apprenticeship queries, however big or small.
We can also help employers who are looking to recruit new apprentices by advertising their vacancy, finding suitable applicants and supporting them with the interview and selection process. Once an apprentice is onboard, our Curriculum Tutors and Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches also step in to support the employer-apprentice relationship and ensure the apprentice is on track to succeed.
As the apprentice
In the first instance, we aim to give potential apprentices all the support they need to find a suitable apprenticeship. That can mean working with them prior to an application to improve their CV, hone their interview skills and advise them of any additional training that may help them secure an apprenticeship vacancy.
Once they start their apprenticeship, we continue to support them with their off-site training and with regular meetings with our Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches to ensure they are progressing and acquiring all the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will ensure they complete their apprenticeship successfully.
How will the Apprenticeship be assessed?
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship. The EPA is the apprentice's opportunity to show an independent assessor how well they can carry out the occupation they have been trained for.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
- fail
- pass
- distinction
When the apprentice passes the EPA, they will be awarded their apprenticeship certificate. To move forward to the end point assessment, the apprentice must have completed and submitted their portfolio of evidence and passed their degree qualification.
Assessment methods
Practical Test
The apprentice will be asked to undertake a Practical Test which consists of a series of four exercises designed to test the knowledge, skills and behaviour set out in the occupational standard. The test will take place in a controlled environment and take place over a two week period.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
The apprentice will also have a separate professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask at least 16 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of the occupation, based on the portfolio of evidence the apprentice has compiled and which should demonstrate their competency in the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the occupational standard.