Ever wondered what it's like to work at one of Greater Manchester's leading tech employers?
Alisa is a Junior Network Engineer at Pulsant.
We spoke to her to find out more about this role, her experience at Pulsant and what an average day looks like.
Name: Alisa Alijeva
Company: Pulsant
Job title: Junior Network Engineer
Time in the role: 9 months
Can you share your journey into cybersecurity and how did you secure your first role at Pulsant?
My interest in technology was largely inspired by my older brother, who encouraged me to be curious about how things work. Whether it was taking apart old computers and gadgets or showing me how to install games, he made technology seem like an exciting world to explore. His enthusiasm was contagious and sparked my passion for tech. That early influence led me to choose a degree in Cybersecurity with Networking at university. In my final year, I came across Pulsant's graduate scheme and was immediately drawn to the security opportunities it offered. It felt like the perfect fit for my career aspirations.
What excites you most about working at Pulsant and contributing to its mission of delivering secure edge infrastructure solutions?
Being part of a fantastic team is what excites me most. Everyone here is incredibly helpful, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. The culture places strong emphasis on career development - since joining in 2023, I've been encouraged to get involved in projects that have a broader impact across the company and to expand my skillset.
Can you walk us through a typical day as a cybersecurity graduate? What are your main responsibilities?
My day begins with staying up to date on the latest cybersecurity developments by checking for any newly disclosed critical vulnerabilities or zero day exploits. This is essential to assess potential threats and prioritise necessary actions.
One of my key responsibilities is scheduling and preparing security updates for clients. This involves planning patching schedules for the upcoming weeks, preparing devices by validating images, verifying checksum values to ensure integrity and taking backups of configurations. Once everything is prepared, I apply the security updates to devices identified as vulnerable to specific CVEs.
Beyond patching, I conduct comprehensive daily Cyber Checks across three main areas:
Housekeeping
This involves detailed system monitoring:
- Conduct regular health checks on vulnerability scanning agents and the central scanning engine to ensure optimal performance and data accuracy.
- Reviewing new app consent requests and conducting thorough risk assessments with requestors when needed
- Monitoring asset health to maintain optimal system performance
Identity, Risk, and SIEM Checks
These are critical security monitoring tasks:
- Analysing security alerts and incidents detected by the Security Information and Event Management programme and the cloud security solution.
- Investigating flagged incidents to determine their nature and scope
- Analysing the Risky Sign-In log to spot and address suspicious login activities
Phishing Reports
A key part of our front-line defence:
- Analysing user-reported potential phishing emails
- Verifying email legitimacy
- Conducting in-depth investigation of confirmed threats
It's a role that combines technical precision with investigative skills - and no two days are quite the same.
What has been your work's most rewarding or fulfilling part so far? Are there any standout moments or challenges you’ve overcome?
The most rewarding part of my work so far has been the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the security and reliability of client networks. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my efforts play a key role in keeping our clients’ environments safe and secure from external threats.
A challenge I’m proud to have overcome was learning to manage the complexity of security tools and processes early in my role. For instance, getting comfortable with patching processes, complex tools like Tenable, Alert Logic, Entra ID, Putty, ASDM and SolarWinds required not only technical knowledge but also the ability to analyse data effectively and make informed decisions quickly.
Cybersecurity is constantly evolving. How have you been able to grow, learn, and take on new responsibilities since joining Pulsant?
There's a real spirit of collaboration at Pulsant, with a flat structure where you can reach out to anyone for help, which is what I love about working here. The leadership team places strong emphasis on career development, offering opportunities for regular certifications and training to enable me to keep up with the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Even as a newer team member, I've already had the chance to cross-train with the Cyber Operations team, which has significantly broadened my skills in managing both external and internal security challenges.
Pulsant gives me the platform to work on challenging projects that push my technical boundaries, while constantly updating my knowledge - exactly what I was looking for to support my career aspirations. The continuous learning opportunities help me stay ahead of emerging threats and technologies, and I'm excited about working towards a leadership role where I can mentor others and help build more inclusive teams.
What advice would you give to other graduates or aspiring professionals interested in starting a career in cybersecurity?
If you're passionate about cybersecurity, go for it. Look for companies that will support your development and help build the career you want. While the industry has traditionally been male-dominated, I've seen real progress toward creating an inclusive environment. More companies are actively supporting individuals from all backgrounds, and it's encouraging to see more female role models emerging in the sector. Most importantly, cybersecurity offers diverse opportunities where different perspectives drive innovation.
