Major Investment to Boost UK Cyber Security Jobs

Earlier this month, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced their intention to award £700,000 to the newly formed UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3), as part of the government’s wider work to develop the UK’s cyber security sector as we recover and build a better post-pandemic future, improving prosperity, innovation and cyber security job prospects.

The UKC3 is a network of 20 regional clusters of cyber security businesses, employers and local organisations who collaborate to enhance the UK’s cyber security sector.

Launched to break down barriers to growth and encourage greater collaboration across regions and nations of the UK, the organisation will deliver initiatives and programmes designed to encourage innovation, ecosystem development and cyber skills growth.

The fund will be utilised by the UKC3 to provide networking, collaboration and knowledge-sharing opportunities, in addition to supporting skills development, innovation and inevitably create new cyber security job opportunities in the UK.

Announcing the new funding at a cyber security industry event InfoSec, Minister for Digital Infrastructure Matt Warman said “Our cyber security sector is already worth £8.9 billion and we’re working tirelessly to take its magnificent growth to the next level.”

UKC3 Chair Richard Yorke commented on how “the UK’s thriving cyber sector is recognised as world leading and through greater collaboration, innovation and skills development we have a real opportunity to deliver growth that benefits businesses and individual citizens across the UK.”

The government’s position on cyber security has been made clear, with various new initiatives and additional funding streams announced throughout 2021.

• In March, as part of the Integrated Review, the government revealed the UK’s vision to be a leading, responsible cyber power, working with partners to create a cyber space that is free, open and secure.
• In May, the foreign secretary declared they would be investing £22 million in building cyber security resilience globally, particularly in Africa and the Indo-Pacific.
• The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) is currently inviting project proposals with the aim to improve online safety overseas, tackle cyber crime and increase knowledge and understanding of emerging cyber, digital, data and technology issues.
• The latest annual survey of UK businesses, public sector organisations and charities is currently underway, aiming to understand the UK cyber security market, examining how organisations approach cyber security jobs and training.
• ‘A consultation on the potential value of and options for a national capability in ‘cyber-physical infrastructure’’ was outlined in the Innovation Strategy.

I look forward to watching the government and UK organisations continue to work on the development of a new UK cyber security strategy, which is set to be announced in late 2021.

VIQU is an IT recruitment agency and consultancy, based in Birmingham and Southampton, with the experience and expertise to support you with the delivery of your cyber security recruitment strategy, or the search for your next contract or permanent cyber security job.