Graduate Apprentice is first up for spotting cyber threats
Bright spark Matthew Buchanan is the front line of defence against cyber threats on power networks after his Graduate Apprenticeship.
Tech whizz Matthew’s passion for computing meant going from school to a Graduate Apprenticeship in Cyber Security with SP Energy Networks (SPEN) was a no brainer.
He took Highers including Graphic Communication, Physics and Maths at Taylor High School before joining the Cyber Security Operations Team at SPEN as the front line of defence in preventing cyber-attacks that could disrupt essential services.
Matthew, of Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, said: “Having the chance to learn on the job with a Graduate Apprenticeship really improved my confidence because I don’t just know the theory, I know how to apply it too.
“It was a big jump straight from school, but getting thrown into things and having that level of responsibility accelerated my learning.
“Being able to save money and avoid debt thanks to my Graduate Apprenticeship was an added bonus.”
Initially he was one of only three people focusing on threat detection and vulnerability management and quickly became an invaluable asset to the team.
Matthew, 22, attended Glasgow Caledonian University one day a week as part of his apprenticeship, honing a diverse set of skills and deepening his knowledge and successfully integrated his learning into his daily work.
One of his standout achievements is that best practice recommendations made in his dissertation were applied within SPEN, significantly improving his team’s ability to detect and respond to threats.
He said: “I love the fact that we are doing something that matters – helping to safeguard energy supplies for our customers - and it felt great to see the theory and recommendations from my dissertation put into action.”
His proactive approach to vulnerability management has helped identify and remedy potential security issues early and prevent possible disruptions to millions of business and domestic customers around the UK.
Additionally, Matthew’s involvement in regulatory submissions and his ability to bridge technical and business information made him the ‘go-to’ person in the team.
He graduated with a First Class Honours degree and now works at SPEN as a Threat Detection and Vulnerability Management Analyst.
Matthew’s dedication and technical expertise have led to him being a finalist in the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
Graduate Apprenticeships are a way to get qualified up to a Master’s degree level while in paid employment.
Designed by education and employers, Graduate Apprenticeships are made for business to support key sectors that need highly skilled employees.
SP Energy Networks Cyber Security Operations Manager, Claire Ramsey, said: “Matthew’s contributions have had a tangible impact on the business, helping to mitigate cyber threats that could disrupt essential services.
“His proactive approach has significantly improved the team’s ability to detect and respond to threats.”
Glasgow Caledonian University Department of Cyber Security and Networks Senior Lecturer David Hendry said: “Matthew was an exceptional Graduate Apprentice and was the top student in his year throughout his programme of studies.
“He achieved an overall First Class classification in each academic year and his final year project was also awarded a First Class classification.
“The academic learning and practical workplace experience of Graduate Apprenticeships complement each other and allow Graduate Apprentices to gain real-world, hands-on experience they would not receive in the learning environment.”
The winner of the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which takes place 27 February in the run up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 to 7 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot.