What Is the Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard?

by Michael Lafferty

Launched in 2019, the Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard was created to accelerate technology adoption into the workforce. But how does it work? 

Top 10 Cloud Certifications for 2020

by Alex Bennett

Which certifications will get you those coveted high-paying jobs in the cloud computing industry? Here’s our list of cloud certifications on the rise in 2020.

State of the cloud: a look at cloud computing in 2020

by Mike Brown

From overcoming security challenges to integrating edge computing into the cloud, to data detectives, here’s what’s in store for cloud computing in 2020.

New tech hubs in Europe: best cities for IT jobs

by Gillian Seely

Where IT is concerned, the biggest city doesn’t always equate to the highest concentration of innovation or the best job scene. The best cities for tech jobs in Europe can surprise you. Here’s how digital jobs are changing Europe’s landscape.

8 Tips to Save Money in Azure

by Mike Brown

Does cloud computing help you save costs? In most cases, the answer is a resounding yes. But going cloud is just step one. Here’s how you can save costs in Microsoft Azure.

Cyber security skills gap reaches all-time high

In recent years, the cyber security job market has successively broken its own records for growth. In 2019 it has again outdone itself with an estimated four million unfulfilled jobs. In this post, guest author Chris Green shares the highlights of (ISC)²'s 2019 cyber security workforce research.

What do Ofsted reports mean?

by Stefano Capaldo

All educational institutions in England must go through an inspection by Ofsted to have their quality assessed. This includes all publicly funded training and apprenticeship programmes. But who are Ofsted, and what do Ofsted ratings say about training providers?

12 free TOGAF exam study resources

Passing a TOGAF exam opens doors to one of the most in-demand jobs today. In this post, we point you to the best free resources to ace the test and get your certification ASAP.

How to mind the cybersecurity skills gap

by Stefano Capaldo

From physical setup to protocol design, cybersecurity ultimately relies on people. However, bridging the skills gap in security can be hard and costly for organisations as they go digital. This article makes the case for a security-first culture – and how to get one started on your company. 

Have I been hacked? How to detect and react to cyber-attacks

by Phil Chapman

Cyber threats come in all shapes and forms, and it’s not always obvious that you’ve been compromised. In this post we highlight where and what to look for, and how to detect and react to the most common cyber-attacks in 2019.

What is Hacktivism?

The notion of hackers with a political message has taken the internet by storm in the recent decade. Check out notable examples of hacktivism in our article.

5 tips for Microsoft certification exams

Microsoft is the most valuable company in the world, and being a certified Microsoft professional no doubt reflects this value. Here we give you a few tips to help you pass Microsoft certification exams.

After more than 40 years at the forefront of the computing industry, the tech giant doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Microsoft retire SATV Programme (Software Assurance Testing Vouchers)

Starting 1st February 2020, Microsoft will begin to retire the SATV (Software Assurance Training Voucher) programme.

The 5 Best CCNA Books for Exam Revision in 2019

[Updated September 2019: This list of the best CCNA books now includes video and web resources]

The CCNA has distinguished itself as a rite of passage for thousands of networking professionals across the globe. Achieve the CCNA certification and you’ll be on track for a rewarding career in networking and an average salary of over £60,000, which ties it to CEH in the 10th spot of the highest paying cyber security certifications this year.

Firebrand Apprenticeships welcomes new Managing Director

Ben Hansford has joined Firebrand Training as Managing Director of its Apprenticeships division.

4 Reasons to choose official (ISC)² training

There is more than one path to get certified, and several myths around which form of training is the right one – official or unofficial. In this article, we explain the reasons why you should go for official (ISC)² training.

10 Highest paying cyber security certifications in 2019

Demand for cyber security professionals has been soaring for a while now, with certified professionals landing some of the highest paying jobs in the IT industry. This is largely due to an increasingly digitised and interconnected world, as businesses across the board migrate their data and processes to the cloud.

In today’s world, keeping sensitive data secure from prying eyes and cyber-attacks can mean the difference between leading the market, and bankruptcy.

Top 10 Project Management Courses 2019

The days of intuitive and trial-and-error project management are over, says senior project management instructor Fatollah Youssefifar. If you don’t have access to a proven methodology, you risk extremely damaging consequences for your organisation and careers.

How to Choose the Right ISO Certification & Course in 2019

Whether you’re looking to become a qualified auditor, implementer or manager in the world of ISO standards, are you confident you’re choosing the right ISO certification and course?

Announcement: EC-Council Masterclass comes to London with Firebrand as Strategic Partner

The EC-Council Masterclass Series will be arriving in London in September 2019, with Firebrand Training as the UK’s only strategic partner.

Massive Cisco CCNA, CCNP, CCIE certification changes incoming February 2020

IT giant, Cisco, has announced a dramatic restructure to their existing certification portfolio that will consist of culling the number of certifications they offer. Cisco will launch this massive update on the 24th February 2020.

Firebrand secures Fair Train Gold Standard

Firebrand Training is delighted to have been awarded the Fair Train Work Experience Quality Standard at Gold, the highest level. Fair Train is the UK’s leading expert in quality assurance of all forms of work-based learning. This prestigious award measures the quality of work-based training delivered by education and skills providers. Fair Train also accredits employers for the quality with which they provide and manage placements.

ISACA CISA Job Practice Update 2019

For the last 50 years, ISACA has established themselves as a reputable provider of IT certifications across the world. The CISA certification is recognised as one of their most sought after, successful endorsements, and has proven the most favourable way for security professionals to showcase their abilities and experience in the IT industry.

To remain relevant and ahead of the game, IT certifications need to be constantly updated and improved - so since June 2019, ISACA introduced a new CISA Job Practice.

Digital apprenticeships at Veolia – a fast track to success

Emma Wilcox hadn’t thought about doing an apprenticeship when she started working as a project assistant in Veolia’s Learning & Development Team. It was while working on a project about training needs analysis that she discovered how the company’s apprenticeship levy funds could be used to support all staff – both new hires and existing employees – to improve their skills in ways that would help the business grow.

BAE Systems launch vision to fight cyber fraud - The Intelligence Network

Better cyber hygiene is one of the key objectives highlighted in The Intelligence Network’s vision for tackling cyber fraud, launched this week.

As a corporate supporter of The Intelligence Network from BAE Systems, Firebrand's roster of elite cyber security instructors have helped contributed to- and shape this new report.

The Piggott School visit Firebrand Training

In 2018, GCHQ hosted a national cyber competition for young girls to encourage them to enter the IT industry. Firebrand are a proud provider of many GCHQ Accredited courses, but that's not the only reason intrigue was manifested. The winners of the CyberFirst Girls Competition were from The Piggott School – the same secondary school Firebrand Training co-founder, Rob Chapman.

It was at The Piggott School where Rob’s passion for IT started, and because of the exceptional computer science department at the school, he was able to explore and learn so much more about it: “I can’t tell you today why I went to the computer club, but a proper light bulb went off in my brain. That was the point when I started to learn to program. I love computer programming.”

Simplyhealth – How to recruit the best possible candidates for digital apprenticeships

The vicious circle of digital recruitment is well-known by just about every business – too few skilled, experienced individuals for the number of positions on offer. Even when recruiting for individuals with no previous experience, it can be difficult to attract candidates with a relevant background. 

So how do you tease out non-traditional candidates’ aptitude for digital roles and get the motivated, skilled digital people you want, particularly when you’re not a tech giant or even in the tech industry?

ISACA Switch To Continuous Testing - How To Schedule Your Exam

Engaging with nearly half a million professionals across approximately 200 countries, ISACA has spent 50 years developing a reputation as one of the most respected international bodies in IT and Information Systems.

CISA vs CISM - How Do I Choose?

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) offered by ISACA are both highly regarded Information Security certifications. However, that’s where the similarities end. The 2 courses boast largely different content, testing different aspects of information security which lead to different IT careers.

CCSP or CISSP Certification - Which Is Better?

CISSP and CCSP certifications go hand in hand and often there is confusion between the two. Although both are founded by non-profit organisation, (ISC)², both are IT courses and both concern cyber security, there are several differences between the two that will take you on different career paths.

The following is an in-depth exploration of the two certifications to help you decide which one is best for you.