National Cyber Security Academy: A decade of bridging the gap between classroom and career

A graduate of a groundbreaking degree course launched a decade ago has told of how it helped him build a successful career in the world of cyber security.

James John – one of the first graduates of the BSc (Hons) in Digital Forensics, the first degree taught at the University of South Wales’ (USW) National Cyber Security Academy (NCSA) - has spoken of the ‘enthusiasm’ of its teaching staff, how the course was a ‘perfect fit’ for his interests, and the ‘outstanding facilities’ at the University.

Having already established an international reputation in the areas of network security, computer forensics and threat analysis, USW established the NCSA at its Newport Campus in spring 2016. Working in collaboration with a number of partners, including the Welsh Government, the Academy gave students the chance to work on real-world projects set by the partners, identifying new challenges in the cyber security environment and directly addressing the identified cyber skills gap in Wales.

It also gave industry direct access to a pool of graduates trained to the highest standards, who had a clear understanding of cyber threats.

After starting with 16 undergraduates, the NCSA has grown to now include around 90 students each year and has an alumni in excess of 500 graduates.

Sharan Johnstone, USW’s Director of the Cyber Academic Centre of Excellence, said the unique blend of hands-on learning, professional development, and strong industry collaboration, quickly saw the NCSA become a model for future-ready education.

“At the heart of the NCSA’s success is its commitment to industry integration. Each year, students tackle projects across key areas of cybersecurity, gaining practical experience even if they don’t pursue traditional placements or internships,” she said.

“This approach ensures that every student graduates with a portfolio of real-world work”.

“The university has also invested in dedicated facilities, providing exclusive labs for NCSA students. These spaces foster a sense of ownership and professionalism, allowing the students to refine their skills and complete vital projects, backed by a collaborative support system, both within the University and from our industry partners.”

The establishment of the NCSA also heralded a new era of success for USW in the area of cyber security, with a number of awards being won in the intervening years.

In 2022, USW was named, for the fourth year in a row, as the Cyber University of the Year at The National Cyber Awards, which recognised those who are committed to cyber innovation, cyber crime reduction, and protecting citizens online; while USW was the first university in Wales to be named as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education by the National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). 

Mrs Johnstone was also named the Outstanding Woman in Technology Award at the UK-wide WISE Awards, which celebrate exceptional women who are making remarkable strides in the tech industry, and STEM Woman of the Year.

“The accolades reflect the hard work of the whole team, and not just individuals,” Mrs Johnstone said. “When the idea for the NCSA was first suggested more than a decade ago, we couldn’t have imagined how the idea could have been so successful – it has made a significant impact.

“But the partnership model, supported by the efforts we put into career progression – such as mock interviews, CV workshops, and sessions with industry professionals, many of whom are USW alumni – play a vital role in giving the students a head start when it comes to future employment.

“And it has led to a noticeable cultural shift among students, who now approach their studies with a heightened sense of professionalism and dedication.”

 

‘Working at the intersection of technology, security, and justice, felt like a perfect fit for my interests and strengths’

NCSA graduate James John put his decision to join USW down to an interest in cyber security which stemmed from TV shows such as NCIS and CSI Miami.

Now a cyber incident response manager at a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), focusing specifically on protecting UK critical national infrastructure, he studied at USW between 2013 and 2018, completing his foundation degree, undergraduate degree, and a sandwich year.

“I chose to study Computer Forensics after a moment of clarity during my A-Level IT class. I'd always been passionate about technology and computers from an early age, constantly tinkering with hardware and solving software problems for family and friends,” he said.

“While I was certain that a technology-focused career was my calling, I hadn't quite found that specific path that would truly engage both my analytical mindset and my desire to make a meaningful impact.

“When I first encountered the Computer Forensics course at USW, it immediately captured my imagination. Like many, I'd been intrigued by the dramatic forensic investigations portrayed in shows such as NCIS and CSI Miami, but the prospect of applying those investigative principles to digital environments, uncovering digital evidence, tracking cyber criminals, and protecting critical systems, resonated with me on a deeper level.

“What particularly drew me to this course was the idea of becoming a digital detective of sorts - working at the intersection of technology, security, and justice, felt like a perfect fit for my interests and strengths.”

While the USW course helped James learn the nuts and bolts of cyber security, the staff and facilities at USW ensured he was able realise his career ambitions.

“Their enthusiasm, passion and genuine industry experience transformed theoretical concepts into compelling real-world applications,” he said.

“Learning from professionals who had actually conducted forensic investigations for law enforcement agencies, consulted on major cyber incidents, and helped shape security policies for critical infrastructure provided insights that simply couldn't be found in textbooks. Their war stories and practical advice created a learning environment that went far beyond academic theory.

“Secondly, the facilities at USW were truly outstanding. It's not often undergraduate students get to develop their skills in a state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre or a functioning Digital Forensics laboratory that mirrors professional environments.

“These purpose-built spaces offered an immersive learning experience that replicated the pressures and challenges of genuine incident response scenarios.

“The opportunity to gain hands-on experience with commercial, licensed products and software tools actually used in the field, gave me a tremendous advantage when interviewing for positions.

“Rather than merely discussing theoretical knowledge, I could confidently demonstrate practical experience with industry-standard tools, speaking the language of potential employers and highlighting my readiness to contribute from day one.

Having put a  good part of his success down to the support he got at USW, James says that anyone who wants to follow in his footsteps should definitely consider studying at the University as a foundation for a successful career.

“I would certainly recommend studying at USW for anyone interested in cyber incident response. The field continues to grow in importance as our digital infrastructure faces increasingly sophisticated threats,” he said.

“That said, success in this career path requires more than just technical knowledge. You need to develop strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills, especially when explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders during critical incidents.

“Be prepared for continuous learning beyond university, as the threat landscape and defensive technologies evolve rapidly. Pursuing professional certifications alongside your degree can also strengthen your prospects.”