The government has launched a听UK Cyber Security Council to serve as the governing body for training and professional standards.听
Funded by DCMS, the government said the new body will bring the booming sector in line with other professions such as law, medicine and engineering.听
The council will boost skilled job prospects around the country by giving budding and existing workers a clear roadmap for building a career in cyber security and focus on increasing the number and diversity of people entering the profession.听
The body will work with training providers to accredit courses and听qualifications, and听give employers the information and confidence they need to recruit effectively to ensure their cyber capability.听
Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman makes the announcement on Safer Internet Day, which promotes more responsible use of online technology around the world and comes as the 拢8.3 billion听cyber听security sector continues to grow despite the pandemic and with it the demand for more talent, particularly from underrepresented groups.听
鈥淭he fact we are launching an independent professional body for cyber security shows just how vital this area has become 鈥� it makes a huge contribution to our thriving digital economy by safeguarding our critical national infrastructure, commerce and other online spaces,鈥� he said.听
鈥淭he UK Cyber Security Council will ensure anyone interested in an exciting career tackling online threats has access to world-class training and guidance. It will also champion diversity and inclusion, driving up standards while helping the nation to build back better and safer.鈥�听
Jake Moore, cybersecurity specialist at ESET, welcomed the move.听
鈥淭he UK Cyber Security Council sounds like it has the potential to make a real impact in helping the country understand the threats and risks they face when engaging in online activity 鈥� and, crucially, what to do to mitigate these,鈥� he said.听听
鈥淎ny extra awareness goes a long way, especially when it comes from a trusted source. The real proof of the council鈥檚 efficacy will be in its longevity, as unfortunately initiatives like this can fall apart just as quickly as they are created when they lose focus or momentum.听听
鈥淚f it can remain relevant and up-to-date moving forwards, the Council could make a lasting change to cybersecurity in the UK.鈥�听
The launch听comes after a feedback from a 2018 DCMS public consultation looking at the issues facing the profession, which showed overwhelming support for a new body.听
Working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre, the听council will strongly support the Government鈥檚 拢1.9 billion National Cyber Security Strategy听aimed at making听the UK the safest place to live and work online.听
Chris Ensor, the NCSC鈥檚 Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said: 鈥淐yber security is a growing industry in the UK and it鈥檚 vital for high standards of practice and technical expertise to be at the heart of the profession as it develops.听
鈥淲e look forward to working with the Council to help ensure that future generations of cyber security professionals have the skills and support they need to thrive and make the UK the safest place to live and work online.鈥�听
The council has appointed its inaugural Board of Trustees to guide the organisation as it establishes itself over the coming years.
This includes听chair听Dr.听Claudia听Natanson,听a听global听cyber听security expert who was previously CSO at DWP, MD at BT Secure 老九品茶 Service and CISO at Diageo Plc.听
Vice-Chair Jessica Figueras听is a听tech market strategist听and听chair of NCT, previously听chief听analyst at听GlobalData.听
Dr.听Natanson听said: 鈥淗aving spent many years in cybersecurity, I鈥檓 very aware of the excellent work done by many varied organisations 鈥� but I鈥檓 also conscious that the time for an umbrella organisation has come in order to drive the profession forward in a unified way.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege and a challenge to be part of the leadership of the Council, knowing that the future security and prosperity of the UK depends in part on the Council succeeding in its mission to develop the profession.鈥�听
The Council will be formally launched on March 31.听
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