Our Government Security career journeys
James Carmichael-Evans’ cyber security journey
What led you to apply for the Civil Service Fast Stream programme?
My career path has been quite diverse. I’ve transitioned from a background in Nuclear Medicine to a focus on cyber security.
I have always had an interest in technology but thought cyber security was solely the realm of hackers. However, the Civil Service Fast Stream programme opened my eyes to the broader scope of the field.
How does your background link to the Civil Service and cyber security?
I initially wondered this myself when I joined the Fast Stream. However, the more I experience life on the Fast Stream, the more I realise how well my background has prepared me.
The critical thinking skills I developed, my ability to work with data and evidence, and my experience managing risk, people, and uncertainty have all been incredibly valuable. These skills are directly applicable to my work in the Civil Service and cyber security, enabling me to navigate complex challenges and drive positive change.
What impact have the projects you have worked on had in making a difference for others and helping deliver better services for the people of the UK?
Many people’s interactions with the UK government are now primarily digital, whether it’s obtaining passports, handling
land sales, recording births and deaths, managing taxes, or dealing with transport. While this digital transformation offers convenience and efficiency, it also creates a significant footprint that attackers might try to exploit. The projects I’ve been involved in have directly improved the cyber posture of the UK government, helping to secure essential services and protect citizen data.
My contributions have not only made a tangible difference in cyber security but have also allowed me to develop my leadership and technical skills significantly.
How do you feel that having a STEM degree is beneficial to working in the Civil Service?
Having a background in Biomedical Sciences has significantly benefited me in my Fast Stream journey. The critical thinking, data interpretation, and analysis skills I developed through my education have been invaluable. These skills enable me to tackle challenges in cyber security, where dealing with large amounts of data and uncertainty is common.
What locations and departments have you been posted to during the Civil Service Fast Stream so far?
During my time in the Civil Service Fast Stream, I have been posted in Leeds with the Department for Work and Pensions, and in Nottingham with the Department for Education. It was eye-opening to discover that many roles in government digital and cyber sectors are located outside London, with significant hubs across the South West, Midlands, and North East regions.
How have the skills and knowledge you have acquired through the Fast Stream training helped you in shaping your future?
Throughout my Fast Stream journey, I have had the opportunity to write policy and briefing materials for ministers, model threats to critical systems using data analysis, write code for security applications, and lead security projects hands-on. Additionally, I have engaged with senior leadership across both of my postings, gaining exposure and contributing to decision-making processes at a strategic level.
Kate Davies’ OBE journey
Kate Davies OBE tells us about her change of career direction into Government Security
I’m Kate, I’m the Deputy Director for Security, Business Continuity and KIM in the Department for Business and Trade, and the Head of the Security Profession for DBT. I have always been security-minded (I come from a police family), but my first actual security role was in 2018 when I joined the Serious Fraud Office. Prior to this, I would consider myself to have been an enthusiastic customer of the Security Function.
Tell us about your career journey into Government Security
I started out in law enforcement, mainly in the intelligence field, with a couple of overseas postings thrown in. This gave me an appreciation of why we need to work securely and the dangers of not doing so. I chose to enter the Security Profession for a better work-life balance (which hasn’t always worked out!) and to use my previous perspectives from a national and international operating environment for better security policy making and delivery.
What opportunities has being a member of the profession brought to you?
The Security Profession is not one for the faint-hearted, but neither is it one where boredom strikes. The opportunity to work with different people, across departments, on different issues and risks every day is exciting, rewarding and a great honour.
What advice would you give to others considering a career in security in government?
If you like a tidy inbox and a ticked-off to-do list, don’t bother. If you are driven to deliver pragmatic, value-for-money solutions, collaborate widely, pivot from tactical delivery to strategic thinking and back again, then this is the profession for you. The opportunities to change tracks within the profession are wide-ranging, and what you learn at work is also a useful lesson in your personal life, whether that is being aware of your digital footprint, understanding social engineering, being self-aware when in public places, or grasping the intricacies of national security issues in the media.
What’s your greatest moment as a member of the Government Security Profession?
Being awarded an OBE for my work in Government Security. Honours awarded to those of us in any corporate services are a valued reminder that our functions provide an essential contribution to the delivery outcomes of our departments. Achieving Chartered Professional status is another memorable moment, but there are numerous others, mostly focused on seeing those I work with develop and flourish within a supportive, valued and valuable profession.
Jacqueline Tomlinson’s path to security
Jacqueline describes her career journey to her security leadership role with the Ministry of Justice.
Tell us about your career journey into Government Security.
My journey into government security hasn’t followed the most traditional route. After studying Linguistics at university, I began a career in technology, initially in the private sector. Experiences providing consultancy for the (then) Lord Chancellor’s Department, and then working as a contractor at HMRC, showed me that I wanted more purpose-driven work.
My next role was at the Pension Protection Fund, an arm’s length body of DWP. While I was there, the first version of the Security Policy Framework was published. My line manager handed it to me to implement – that constituted my introduction to working in government security!
I eventually arrived in the Cyber team at the Ministry of Justice in 2019, via a role at another arm’s length body, British Business Bank. I’ve since been promoted, and also had the brilliant opportunity to spend a year on loan to Government Security Group to lead the GovAssure rollout across government.
What opportunities has being a member of the profession brought to you?
Being part of the government security profession has made a difference from the outset, and for me, it’s one of the key differentiators from working in a private sector organisation.
So many development opportunities have come from being part of the profession. I would call out the Secure Leaders programme as a highlight. This provided not just leadership development, but mentoring and a network that has continued to help me to grow, and the chance to give back by helping others to develop.
I also loved being a member of the Shadow Security Board for a year, and have benefitted from formal learning and certification, including accreditation by the UK Cyber Security Council.
What advice would you give to others considering a career in security in government?
If you’re considering joining from a non-typical background, and aren’t sure if it’s for you, I would say just go for it. My career has been driven by curiosity and love of learning rather than sticking strictly to one path. Having varied experience has been invaluable in helping me understand the perspectives of others and finding ways to deal with challenges and obstacles.
Security has roles for people with all sorts of interests and skills, from the highly technical, through to risk and assurance, security culture and business engagement, all driven by the purpose of protecting government services and information. You will definitely never be bored!