The government has released its roadmap for the cyber security sector, laying out plans to bring more diversity into the workforce and spread cyber skills across the UK.
The new National Cyber Strategy begins by celebrating the 1,400 cyber security businesses which last year generated combined revenues of £8.9bn and supported 46,700 skilled jobs.
To promote continued growth, the government is investing in the Cyber Runway scheme which is helping 107 innovators grow and develop their businesses, with the majority of member companies outside of London and the south east, 45% led by women and 52% run by founders from black and minority ethnic groups.
The strategy promotes diversity through an adult scheme which will ensure that people from all backgrounds have access to high skill, high priority jobs and implements a new “Cyber Explorers” online training platform which will teach young people cyber skills in classrooms.
In addition, a new “Royal Charter” for the UK Cyber Security Council has been approved by the Queen, which will help improve cyber careers and bring the cyber workforce into line with other professional occupations.
Sir Jeremy Fleming, Director GCHQ said: “The National Cyber Strategy builds on the country’s strong foundations in cyber security that GCHQ’s work has been part of, particularly through the NCSC.
“But it goes beyond that. It brings together the full range of cyber activities, from skills to communities, and to the use of offensive cyber capabilities through the newly established National Cyber Force.”
The strategy will implement the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill.