Here at Newsflash Online, we know how important cyber security is for individuals, businesses and the nation as a whole. There’s an impending shortage of professionals with the skills needed to maintain crucial security, but the government is looking to plug that skills gap with a newly announced Cyber Security Council. This council will help develop a strategy for the training and development of new talent in the cyber security field. It will run alongside an Initial Cyber Security Skills Strategy.
Cyber security workforce ‘central to national security’
Digital minister Margot James said: ‘Making sure we have a skilled cyber security workforce now and for the future is not only central to our national security but is also fundamental to the UK becoming the world’s best digital economy.
‘This strategy alongside the creation of an independent UK Cyber Security Council will be the next step in equipping our growing and vibrant cyber security sector with the expertise it needs for years to come.’
The independent council will be provided with funding of up to £2.5m from the UK’s National Cyber Security Programme. It’s understood that the strategy will involve the appointment of ambassadors who will promote training for careers in cyber security to diverse groups of young people and also encourage cyber professionals at all stages of their careers.
Strategy to provide a ‘clearer skills pathway’
The strategy will also include a relaunch of the government’s previously trialled CyberFirst programme, which aims to provide a clearer skills pathway for those looking to pursue a career in cyber security.
TechUK’s Head of Cyber and National Security Talal Rajab welcomed the strategy.
He said: ‘TechUK welcomes this strategy as an important step towards bridging the cyber security skills gap in the UK.
‘Skills are vital to the development of the UK cyber security sector and attracting skilled talent is a constant challenge for industry, making this wide-ranging strategy most useful as a starting point for renewed efforts from both government and industry.’
The government will hold a ten-week consultation early in the New Year, during which it will call for suggestions related to the development of both the Cyber Security Council and the Initial Cyber Security Skills Strategy. There will also be a number of ‘engagement events’, and the government hopes to have a sustainable programme up and running by 2021.
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