The third round of funding through the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund (CSIIF) was launched today by the UK’s Cyber Security Minister, Nigel Adams, to increase the number and diversity of people entering the cyber security profession nationally. Training providers will be able to bid for up to £100,000 to work with employers and design training programmes to retrain people for a career in cyber security.
“The UK is a world leader in tackling cyber attacks, but we must make sure we continue to develop the talent we need to protect the public and business online,” said Adams. “This latest round of funding demonstrates our commitment to make sure the UK’s cyber security industry has a skilled and diverse workforce and, through our new Cyber Security Council, there are clear paths for those wishing to join the profession.”
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) will be in charge of designing and delivering the new UK Cyber Security Council, alongside a wider alliance of cyber security professional organisations. The Council will work toward making cyber security a well structured and easy-to-navigate profession that represents, supports and drives excellence going forward.
“It’s fundamental that cyber security is seen as a nationally recognised and established profession with clear career pathways. With cyber skills shortages already emerging at every level, we are committed to working with the Government and the National Cyber Security Centre on delivering the rapid, yet capable development of specialist cyber skills to meet the growing needs of the industry, manage risk and secure the next generation of talent,” said Simon Edwards, IET Director of Governance and External Engagement.
As businesses become ever more reliant on digital tools, the need for a skilled and professional cyber workforce in the UK has increased.
“The Government’s National Cyber Security Skills Strategy found that more than half of all businesses and charities in the UK have a basic cyber security skills gap,” said Jacqueline de Rojas, President, techUK. “Increasing diversity in the sector is one way in which we can seek to plug the growing cyber skills gap, and that is why initiatives like the Immediate Impact Fund are so important. Coupled with the creation of a new Cyber Security Council that will create clearer pathways for people entering the sector, these announcements will go a long way to ensuring that we create and nurture our cyber professionals and continue making the UK the safest place to be online.”
[Image credit: Markus Spiske and for Unsplash]
