BT Boosting Internet Security via 900 New Recruits

Telecoms giant BT has announced that they’re going on the hunt to find 900 new security recruits over the next 12 months, which will work to help protect consumers, businesses and governments from the growing threat of cybercrime.

Apparently BT already employs over 2,500 “security professionals” all around the world and it’s been somewhat of a growth business for the operator, which is now looking to add another 900 staff. Some 170 of the new posts will go to graduates and apprentices who are to be trained at BT’s “Security Academy” (like a Jedi Academy, only.. different).

Recruits who attend the Jedi Security Academy will receive training in a range of areas including physical security, penetration testing, threat intelligence, risk management, security operations, sales and how to take down local Sith lords. Well maybe not that last part.

The good news is that the “majority” of these roles will be created in the United Kingdom (mostly at their security operations centres in London, Sevenoaks and Cardiff), although other positions will be created across Continental Europe, the Americas, the Middle-East and Asia-Pacific.

Mark Hughes, President of BT Security, said:

“A number of high-profile security and data breaches have dominated the headlines in recent months, and this has led to a surge in interest from both consumers and IT departments wanting to know how best they can protect themselves in the digital world. BT plans to remain at the forefront, innovating in cybersecurity, by hiring some of the best talent while training up the next generation of experts at our BT Security Academy.”

BT is holding a ‘Security Cyber Apprentice Open Day’ afternoon on 23rd April for 16 to 19 year olds at a Central London location, where potential recruits can find out more about the scheme (here).