Amelia joined 6point6 in May 2021, having worked in IT and Information Security at a London law firm. As part of the Cyber Assurance team, Amelia supports clients with the security of their digital developments and processes. 

‘Why do you enjoy working at 6point6?’

I enjoy working at 6point6 because people are valued here. To work in a company where success is celebrated, both professionally and personally, is truly a unique experience. Joining a new company during a national lockdown was a shared experience for many people but feeling so immersed in a firm’s culture solely from virtual interactions was natural here. There are a variety of discussion forums that provide a space for collaboration and plenty of good humour, which enabled me to settle in quickly.

In my short time at 6point6, I have already been exposed to multiple internal and external projects, working with several colleagues across departments. I find it beneficial to understand how different functional groups contribute towards delivery objectives, so having this visibility has expanded my knowledge of processes and how each piece leads to an outcome. This ethos of opportunity spans into their attitude towards learning and development. The conversation surrounding training and development is open. I have been provided with resources and support to explore certifications that develop me as a consultant.

‘How do you feel 6point6 has supported your learning and development?’

From my first interview to now being settled on a project, there has always been an honest and open dialogue surrounding development. When we think about development we often talk about gaining certifications, this doesn’t capture its true essence. Your skillset shouldn’t be limited to just your technical skills within Cyber Security, and development could mean improving on any contributing skill in your toolset. I’ve been able to reflect on how I want to develop within my career, including which skills I feel I need to refine, and this has been fundamental in approaching my development plan with my manager. Another common misconception is that learning isn’t always interesting or it’s confined to studying and taking exams. 6point6 has been integral in helping me change this mindset. Learning for me has come in many forms, such as practical experience, shadowing, e-learning and colleague-led training. Working in such a collaborative environment fuels learning, and it has become part of my working life as opposed to a separate ‘burden’.

‘What made you go into Cyber so early in your career?’

Having completed a technical apprenticeship, a governance secondment and starting a Law degree all within two years, I felt very unsure about which direction I wanted to go in with my career. It’s an absolute privilege to have options but making such a big decision on what felt like the rest of my life was quite immense. I have always been fortunate to have colleagues that are abundantly supportive of my ventures, and the more people I spoke to, the clearer it was that Cyber would keep me feeling challenged within my career. It’s not only a rapidly evolving industry but one with such a variety of roles that I would never feel stuck in one place. It also opens doors for me when paired with my ongoing degree, and long-term I’ll enjoy being able to pursue those opportunities.

‘As a woman, how do you feel working in Cyber’

I’m very proud to work in Cyber. I get to make a difference every day to ensure that both people and systems are secure in our digital world. As a woman, I get to challenge a stereotype that you must look a certain way or be a certain type of person to have a job title- absurd! 

Finding your feet as a woman in Cyber is an individual process, and we all perceive it uniquely. I don’t feel that my gender is necessarily a key part of what I can bring to the table. However, I’m aware that there are deep-rooted practices within some industries that marginalise women. I believe that we are all responsible for advocating for women within our industry. The work done by women within security to vocalise our views and express the necessary changes required is exceptional, and every day, I see progress being made to ensure that every individual feels welcome. We can’t erase the wrongdoings of the past, but we can focus our energy on providing a seat at the table for everyone, regardless of their gender.

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