BT is creating formal career development programmes for
more than 400 full-time IT security professionals as it gears up to
create an integrated cross-company security
practice.
The company plans to invest in training and mentoring programmes to
help its IT security staff develop "rounded" technology and
business skills needed by the practice, which will offer security
services to BT and external clients.
At the heart of the programme is a skills framework developed by BT
that will lay down minimum competencies for security staff, help
them to identify their training needs and provide them with a
career development path.
The lowest level of the framework will ensure that all staff
understand basic security principles, policies and strategies,
networks, and BT's own security strategies and business objectives.
Staff can build on this basic knowledge by taking technical
qualifications from Microsoft, Novell and other suppliers,
recognised security qualifications from industry bodies including
(ISC)2 and the Business Continuity Institute, and university
qualifications including MScs or MBAs.
"The skills profile will allow people to grow as they build their
career path," said Ray Stanton, global head of security services
and solutions at BT.
The company plans to kick off the programme by carrying out an
audit of the skills of the 400 full-time and 800 half-time security
staff in the new unit.
The audit will help BT identify gaps in staff training and
experience and to prioritise training and hiring programmes.
BT is also planning a mentoring programme, which will pair
candidates who show exceptional promise with senior BT managers and
external consultants to help them develop their careers.
Stanton plans to encourage staff to develop operational experience
by going on secondment to other parts of BT and to external
organisations.