From Medicine to Cybersecurity: Career journey with Samuel

In a world increasingly reliant on technology and data, the role of cybersecurity has become paramount, particularly within the education sector. Meet Samuel, our Information Security GRC Analyst at the Harris Federation, who has made the transition from working in medicine in Ukraine to cybersecurity professional. 

 

What does your role involve?

My role in the broad sense is to ensure Harris Federation's information security and their compliance with regulations. My responsibilities will typically include aspects of governance, risk management, compliance, audit and assessment, security frameworks, security awareness, and incident response. I work to establish, maintain, and monitor a robust security and compliance framework within Harris Federation to protect its sensitive data and operations. 

 

What were you doing before working here?

Before joining Harris Federation as an Information Security GRC Analyst, I had a diverse background in the healthcare industry which spans over eight years. My career initially began in Ukraine as a medical doctor where I had a specialist training in Internal Medicine. Shortly after that, I veered towards Public Health, and I came to the UK and earned a Master's Degree in Public Health at the University of Liverpool. I returned to Ukraine with the hope to work as a Public Health Practitioner with international organisations like the UN but at this point the world was just beginning to recover from the Covid pandemic. This meant there were very limited opportunities, but the real shocker came a few months after I returned to Ukraine in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Again, I found myself in the UK except this time not as a student but as a person with absolutely no idea of what to do and his entire world turned upside down.

Initially I began working as a Support Worker so I could at least sustain myself and my family financially while I figured out what I was going to do. Eventually it became clear that I had 2 options which was to either continue in the medical field I was used to or move to a different industry. I had always been passionate about the IT industry but hadn't previously had the opportunity to venture into. I began my research into the field with the hope to find an entry point, and it was during this that I came across cybersecurity and CAPSLOCK, and I saw it as an opportunity to pursue my passion. I soon realised the experiences I had gathered over the years are actually mirrored in cybersecurity and the IT world as a whole. I registered with CAPSLOCK in February 2023 and here I am now at the Harris Federation. 

 

What interests you about cybersecurity?

I saw cybersecurity as a field where my past experiences and skills were useful and transferable. I understood cybersecurity in the sense that instead of taking preventative action, investigating or treating of people, I will be doing the same except on computer systems and networks. The fact that cybersecurity is an interesting field that makes sense to me where the skills I have acquired over the years could be applied, I was immediately sold on it. 

 

How would you describe your CAPSLOCK experience?

CAPSLOCK is just right! I went to university, 6 years in medical school, followed by specialist training and a Master's Degree. What this gives me is different forms of teaching and educating people. One of the things that stood out for me personally with the CAPSLOCK method is the inclusion of somewhat real-life scenarios in their teaching methods. As a student, you are not just reading and downloading theoretical knowledge but during the class sessions you are given the opportunity to apply it. In a sense, with CAPSLOCK, you are studying and at the same time gaining real-life work experience. Another thing is they have got a good group of tutors and support staff who are very approachable and ever eager to help. This really made the whole learning experience one to remember. It was a great experience, it lifted my spirits, and I ended up being the best student in my cohort. 

 

How has your experience with CAPSLOCK benefitted you? What did you learn?

I came across CAPSLOCK at a point where I was so confused and was at point zero where I literally had to rebuild my life. I needed CAPSLOCK and I remember when we were told at the induction that some CAPSLOCK students get jobs before even completing their studies, I prayed to God that I will be one of those who gets employed before completing the CAPSLOCK programme. My CAPSLOCK graduation was in August 2023 but I got my job at Harris in July 2023. I have definitely benefitted from going to CAPSLOCK because one thing that is crystal clear to me, without CAPSLOCK, I do not think I would be an Information Security GRC Analyst and the Harris Federation. 

 

Why did you choose to work at Harris?

After reading the job description, I went to the Harris Federation website to learn more about the organisation. I loved their values, especially the work they have been doing and are still doing around inequality, and bringing education to areas with socioeconomic disadvantages. As an African, I understand socioeconomic disadvantages and I'm glad there is an organisation that is doing something about it. Being able to work here is an opportunity to contribute to such a positive vision and goal while also kick starting my career in a field that is interesting to me. 

 

What has your experience at Harris been like so far?

My experience has been great so far, the onboarding process was very smooth. The cybersecurity team was welcoming and lovely, and my manager has been awesome. I could easily see that Jack (Head of Information and Cybersecurity) wants me to learn, grow and build experience and he is constantly giving me the opportunity to do just that. He is trusting me to make decisions and is always there to provide support when I need it. Everyone I met so far has been really nice and being able to attend the conference and see the work being done was just the icing on the cake.