A Bit About NI Cyber Guy & Me
Hi, I’m Colin. I’m a Cyber Security Engineer specialising in Security Operations (SOC), Identity and access Management (IAM), and Data Loss Prevention (DLP), with a focus on the Microsoft/Azure tech stack.
Following nearly two decades in Sports Education and development with several regional and national governing bodies, redundancy in 2018 allowed me to transition into IT and Cybersecurity via two academies in Northern Ireland.
Since then, I have accumulated several industry certifications, awards, and accreditations. I founded NI Cyber Guy to fill gaps in entry-level cybersecurity resources and provide Northern Ireland-specific cybersecurity insights, as there was a huge appetite at the time (and even still), but more was needed.
What I do on this site?
The Cyberpedia
In particular, IT and Cybersecurity is a field full of technical jargon, and there is a love of acronyms. From ATP and CAPTCHA, through to PCI-DSS and VPN, I will answer what these are here.
The How to area
I’m frequently asked how to do certain things related to cybersecurity or how to look for myself. So, in this section, I will document my experiences and create guides to help you repeat them and solve your issues.
The learning area
Like many other areas of IT, cybersecurity is ever-changing. Technologies get upgraded, and the “bad guys” find new ways to do things. As a result, we always have to develop our knowledge. So here I look at the exams or certifications I have done and give you the details of what they are, the notes I have made, and where to find resources for these.
The careers area
You might just be thinking of starting a career, but where do you see yourself in five years? Here you can learn what career paths are available such as Pentesters, Threat Intelligence or Security Analyst
Our career pages have resources and tips to help you make the most of your cybersecurity journey.
Cyber Security In Northern Ireland
A world-leading Cyber Hub
Northern Ireland is a world-leading cyber hub. It has been rated the number one region for US FDI cyber security development projects. It is now home to an impressive cyber security cluster consists of international companies, world-renowned university research,world leading cybersecurity technologies and innovative start-ups delivering global cyber security solutions.
The provinces global success is due to a diverse range of world-class skills, tech research excellence, leading forensic science expertise, collaboration opportunities and very competitive costs, including attractive R&D incentives through Invest Northern Ireland.
Entrepreneurial & International Cyber Hub
In Northern Ireland, cyber start-ups and SMEs thrive in a tech community that develops talent through a highly developed entrepreneurial ecosystem, incubation processes, and a vibrant networking and events scene.
Tech companies from countries such as the USA, Israel, Germany and Spain have invested in Northern Ireland’s diverse range of innovation and skills.
These are continually being developed in Further and higher education institutions such as North West Regional College, Belfast Met, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), and Ulster University (UU). Northern Ireland has the highest percentage of highly qualified IT professionals in the UK and Ireland.
Universities and further education colleges offer bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD courses in cyber security, Information security, and information technology in conjunction with companies such as Imperva, Signifyd, Black Duck (by Synopsis), Rapid 7, Proofpoint, Alert Logic, Anomali, and Whitehat Security.
These companies and the international cyber investors have been attracted by the strong economy and diverse pool of talent here in Northern Ireland.
Exceptional Talent & Expertise
- The Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at QUB is the UK’s Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) for cyber security. It is the UK’s most significant cybersecurity-focused university technology research, development, events and innovation centre.
- The London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement (LORCA) is delivered in partnership with Deloitte’s cyber team and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at QUB.
- RISE, a new UK Hardware Security Institute at CSIT, is one of four cyber security institutes in the UK and is set to be a global hub for research and skills innovation in hardware.
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has a dedicated Cyber Crime Centre led by detectives who have developed professional solid technical and forensic capability.
- Financial services firms, including Allstate, CME, and Citi, have invested in cyber security operations in Belfast. Global players such as PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and BDO have significant regional operations. They have developed a range of cyber security solutions that directly service jobs in Northern Ireland.
A Cyber Security Cluster
The Northern Ireland Cyber Security Cluster promotes international business, innovation, events and collaboration opportunities. The cyber security cluster consists of companies developing world leading cybersecurity technologies from Northern Ireland across various sectors, including finance, banking, insurance, legal, telecoms, threat intelligence, defence, security and healthcare. More information can be found on NI Cyber Security Cluster Website.
Cyber Security In Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre
The Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre works with its counterpart, the National Cyber Security Centre, to make Northern Ireland’s cyberspace safe, secure, and resilient for its citizens and businesses.
They are focused on ensuring that we have a better-informed society and business community to protect their technology, systems and data from cyber-attack
What The NICSC Does
The NICSC plays a prominent role in delivering the Northern Ireland Cyber Safe Strategy—A Strategic Framework for Action and is a crucial advocate for the cyber security economy in Northern Ireland.
They work with public, private, third-sector organisations, and international businesses to improve their ability to defend against cyberattacks, increase their knowledge of cyber threats, and become more resilient. In tandem with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), they ensure an organisation can access the right advice, guidance, and support.
More specifically, the NI Cyber Security Centre:
- Collaborates with our counterparts across the UK to ensure that Northern Ireland is part of the overall UK cyber response to incoming threats and attacks.
- Provides access to knowledge about cybersecurity and threats.
- Issues guidance on the actions necessary to improve the cybersecurity of our citizens and public/private sector businesses.
What they don’t do
The Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre is not responsible for:
- Cyber Crime
- If you are a victim of a cybercrime, contact the PSNI
- Coordination of cyber incident response
- This is the remit of the PSNI or National Cyber Security Centre.