Back to School: Closing the Cyber Security Skills Gap

As students across the UK head back to school, it’s not just the classrooms that need attention­—the digital space needs attention too. Recent findings from the Cyber Security Labour Market 2023 research revealed that 50% of all UK businesses face a basic cyber security skills gap, highlighting the urgent demand for greater awareness and expertise in this critical field. Additionally, it was found that only 17% of the cyber security workforce is female, a statistic that underscores the need for more inclusive initiatives in a society striving for gender equality.

In this article, we explore how government programs, charitable support and companies in the sector are all helping to equip the next generation with the skills needed to protect the UK from cyber threats.

The National Cyber Security Centre

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), established in 2016, serves as the UK government’s technical authority on cyber security. It plays a vital role in providing a coordinated national response to cyber threats and offers a wealth of resources and support to individuals and organisations stay cyber aware.

One of the NCSC’s key offerings is its dedicated online resources for schools and students interested in cyber security. These resources include informational web pages and video explainers designed to educate and inspire the next generation of cyber security professionals.

CyberFirst, another prominent initiative by the NCSC, provides student bursaries and apprenticeships, offering practical experience in the cyber security field. The program also offers free courses on topics such as digital forensics, ethical hacking, and network security. Additionally, CyberFirst runs competitions for girls aged 12-13, encouraging them to consider careers in cyber security as part of a broader effort to inspire young people interested in technology.

The NCSC also collaborates closely with universities to accredit cyber security degree programs, ensuring that graduates possess the skills needed to tackle today’s cyber security challenges.

Lastly, the NCSC have produced a piece of guidance titled ‘Early Years practitioners: using cyber security to protect your settings, which details four simple steps to help safeguard the children in these settings. By embracing good cyber hygiene, those working in education can protect the personal or sensitive information they hold on children and families. The fours steps highlighted will savectime and money in the long run, through the protection of data and devices. You can read more here.

Government initiatives

Beyond the NCSC, the UK government has introduced several other initiatives aimed at enhancing cyber skills across the population. One such initiative is Cyber Explorers, a free learning platform launched in August 2023. Designed for children aged 11-14, Cyber Explorers educates young students on key cyber security concepts through interactive training.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy further outlines the government’s comprehensive approach to securing the nation against cyber threats. A key component of this strategy is the development of cyber skills. Notable initiatives under this strategy include the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund (CSIIF), the Cyber Apprenticeship Program, and Cyber Aware.

To upskill the existing workforce, the government has introduced Cyber Bootcamps—intensive training programs for adults that cover areas such as network security, incident response, and ethical hacking. Additionally, the Cyber Essentials scheme provides a certification process that also serves as a valuable learning experience for employees, helping to enhance their cyber security knowledge.

Non-government support

In addition to government efforts, non-profit initiatives like The Cyber Helpline provide crucial support to individuals and small businesses affected by cybercrime. This service offers free, expert advice and assistance in recovering from incidents such as hacking, phishing, or data breaches. The Cyber Helpline’s resources include a range of online materials, access to cyber security expert volunteers, and chatbot support. The service prioritises user anonymity and confidentiality, ensuring that personal information remains protected.

For more information, cyber helpline has many useful resources which can be accessed for free.

The Red Helix Coding Club

Recognising the importance of early exposure to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), we launched the Red Helix Coding Club last year for primary school children. This initiative aims to reduce the existing cyber skills gap by providing children with hands-on experience in real-world applications of STEM. The project also focuses on promoting social mobility, targeting schools with higher pupil premium rates.

The program has proved very popular, now running in two local primary schools in Aylesbury. We are eager to share the details of this program with other schools and organisations and encourage companies interested in implementing similar schemes to contact us.