Digital Forensic & Cyber Security Analyst Review

Monitor Cyber Systems for external and internal threats. Conduct Digital investigation of attack lifecycles, Attempted Data Exfiltration, Malware & more. Collect and analyse digital evidence in a forensically sound manner. Work alongside and meet with the global Digital Forensic and Security teams to handover and exchange notes on ongoing investigations. Work on projects such a new alerting rules, meeting with tool vendors to explore new releases/ work with vendors to resolve bugs within the tools used.

My communication skills have improved in a way I did not expect. I am now much more confident in communicating in different languages. Pfizer being a global company means I speak to a range of different people across the globe. I have improved a series of technical skills. For example before placement I did not have much experience within the Linux environment. Now I am very comfortable working with Linux systems. Other technical skills I have gained since is understanding and using a series of new Forensic Tools.

During my placement I have been given more responsibility than I thought I would get. After several weeks of shadow work I was responsible for my own workings within security. Then during my team in forensics I have been trusted with the responsibility of triaging new incidents. This means that I would make the decision of whether a new alert needs to be ticketed up and worked. This is a major reps0nabuility as if I decide to not ticket up an alert and it turns out to be an important alert that needed to be worked it could create major issues for the entire business in the future.

The Guidance I have been given during the entirety of the placement has been great. When I first began I spent time with one analyst daily. I would have a mix of introduction to the business and all of the systems that the business uses. Then having the change to shadow the analyst and see how they manage the daily tasks that I would be undertaking. Then after a few weeks of shadowing the analyst then spent a couple of weeks shadowing me carrying out my daily tasks. providing feedback as I went. If I ever require more guidance since the shadowing phase I have two options. I can access the internal wikki and search for what I need guidance on and review articles that analysts have written on the topic. The other method of guidance is I can simply ask another analyst either 1 on 1 or as a group.

The culture and atmosphere makes Pfizer a great place to work. Being a global business you get to experience so many different cultures. The atmosphere is friendly and you can have a laugh and a joke with your colleagues but everyone also know that there is a time and a place for a joke and the other times when you need to have to be serious and get the tasks you set completed. This balance of friendly atmosphere mixed with the seriousness of work gives a really nice balanced atmosphere at Pfizer.

I have really enjoyed my placement. I got to experience two different areas of the cyber world as a Cyber Security analyst and Digital Forensic Analyst. Each day was something new. Although the work is in the same remit each day. It was not the same investigation. Having something new each day was great. Due to doing something new each day has made the placement fly past. It feels as if I have only just started.

Yes

As with all of job interviews relax and be you. Do not try and force yourself into what you think Pfizer is looking for. Do not try and use lot's of pharma jargon to try and get your foot in the door. Come prepared with your skills and have examples ready of where you have had to use those skills in either university or the world of work. Practice being able to talk to your webcam. Due to the current Covid Climate you could be working from home/hybrid working. Pfizer utilises a mixture of pre-recorded and live online interviews. Make sure you are comfortable in talking to your camera as if you were in person.