Zero Trust, identity and governance top the list when Atea looks for new expertise. - We’re completely dependent on graduates who are truly passionate about the field, says Jørn Nørvåg, Chief Consultant at Atea.
For several years, Noroff and Atea have had a close collaboration to ensure that students gain relevant skills and good job opportunities. The partnership delivers results: several students have already landed their dream jobs before finishing their studies.
We’re constantly looking for people with the right drive. Jørn Nørvåg, Chief Consultant at Atea
- In my own team, we’re almost all juniors. That’s why we rely on graduates – and it’s those who go a little above and beyond, who keep learning on their own, that really stand out, says Nørvåg.
Recently, Nørvåg visited the Noroff campus in Kristiansand, where he met students and spoke about Zero Trust and the future of cybersecurity expertise.
Marco landed a job before finishing his studies
A great example is Marco, who was hired as a junior consultant at Atea during his first year of study. Nørvåg came across him on LinkedIn, and after an informal conversation, Marco was offered the position. For Atea, his enthusiasm and genuine interest were decisive factors.
- Marco had a clear passion for the field. That made him a valuable resource from day one, says Nørvåg.
Read the full story about Marco here.
Skills in demand right now
Atea is currently seeing high demand for expertise within:
- Zero Trust architecture: verifying users and devices at every step.
- Entra ID and IAM: identity and access management.
- Governance: control, compliance, and accountability.
- Cloud competence: operation and security in modern cloud environments.
Future competence needs
Over the next three to five years, Atea expects an even stronger shift toward security and cloud services, while the demand for development skills remains high.
- Cybersecurity and cloud will only grow in importance. At the same time, governance requirements will increase as systems become more complex. We often get more projects than we can handle, which shows just how crucial it is to have people with the right skills, says Nørvåg.
For Atea, internships and project work are highly valuable when recruiting new employees.
- Internships give students real-world experience. We notice those who take initiative and show genuine interest in the field, it makes a big difference in the recruitment process, says Nørvåg.
Advice for students
Atea is an industry partner for several of Noroff’s study programs and actively contributes input to the curriculum. For Noroff, the partnership is essential to ensure that the education stays relevant to the job market.
When it comes to today’s students, Jørn Nørvåg is clear about what matters most:
- We’re looking for the sharpest consultants — people who are truly passionate about technology. Curiosity and a willingness to learn are key. Those who build experience through internships or personal projects will have a major advantage, he says.