Damien Ratchford
About Damien Ratchford
Damien Ratchford is a Lead Security Engineer with extensive experience in cyber security, having previously served as Cyber Security Team Lead at the Northern Ireland Civil Service and as Senior Security Engineer at Qarik Group. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science with Cyber Security and multiple Google Cloud Platform certifications.
Current Role at Qarik Group
Damien Ratchford serves as the Lead Security Engineer at Qarik Group, a position he has held since 2023. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing security initiatives and ensuring the integrity of systems and data. His expertise in security engineering enables him to lead projects that enhance the organization's cybersecurity posture.
Previous Experience at Qarik Group
Prior to his current role, Damien worked as a Senior Security Engineer at Qarik Group from 2021 to 2023. During this time, he contributed to various security projects and initiatives, leveraging his skills to improve the company's security frameworks and protocols.
Career at Northern Ireland Civil Service
Damien Ratchford has extensive experience with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, where he held multiple positions over several years. He served as Cyber Security Team Lead from 2019 to 2021, and prior to that, he worked as a Programmer Analyst from 2014 to 2019, a Server Administrator from 2008 to 2014, and an ICT Technician from 2007 to 2008. His roles involved various aspects of IT and cybersecurity, contributing to his comprehensive understanding of the field.
Educational Background
Damien Ratchford holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science with Cyber Security from the University of York, which he completed from 2020 to 2022. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Studies from Leeds Metropolitan University from 1997 to 2000. Additionally, he studied Computing at Belfast Metropolitan College, achieving a Higher National Certificate (HNC) from 2007 to 2009.
Certifications and Professional Development
Damien holds multiple certifications from Google Cloud Platform, including Cloud Architect, Cloud Security Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer, Cloud Developer, and Cloud DevOps Engineer. He emphasizes continuous learning and development in cyber and information security, reflecting his commitment to staying current in the rapidly evolving field.