Policy paper

DCMS cyber security newsletter - March 2022

Published 7 March 2022

1. Director’s message

Firstly, the invasion of Ukraine concerns us all. The National Cyber Security Centre is urging all UK organisations to bolster their cyber security resilience and has issued new guidance to reduce the risk of an attack. I encourage you all to read it and share it with your networks and suppliers.

One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet the many innovative cyber companies based around the UK. From startups fresh out of university with new products and ideas to established primes employing hundreds of people, it’s great to learn about the work that is driving this thriving and increasingly critical sector. That is why I am pleased to see the positive story of growth in this year’s Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis. Over the past twelve months revenue in the cyber sector has grown to more than £10bn for the first time and it now employs the equivalent of 52,700 full time roles, an increase of 6,000 over the last year. The analysis also reveals that more than half of cyber companies are based outside of London and the South East, showing how cyber is helping to develop local economies and creating good jobs all across the country.

But the analysis also revealed that only a third of our cyber sector companies are confident they will be able to attract the skilled staff they need to continue this growth. Creating clear pathways into the profession is therefore one of our priorities at DCMS. Last month, to encourage more young people to engage with cyber security, we launched Cyber Explorers, a new free online learning platform for 11-14 year olds. Using characters, quizzes and activities, the website will show students how digital, computing and cyber skills can lead to a range of exciting careers, both in cyber and other areas such as medical research and sports technology.

Erika Lewis

Director

Cyber Security and Digital Identity

2. Ukraine invasion: NCSC urges UK organisations to bolster cyber defences

Following Russia’s further violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the National Cyber Security Centre has called on organisations in the UK to bolster their online defences.

While the NCSC is not aware of any current specific threats to UK organisations in relation to events in and around Ukraine, there has been an historical pattern of cyber attacks on Ukraine with international consequences.

The guidance encourages organisations to follow actionable steps that reduce the risk of falling victim to an attack.

3. UK cyber security sectoral analysis 2022

Last month we published our latest Cyber Sectoral Analysis, our annual research report into the UK’s cyber sector. The analysis has tracked the growth in the cyber sector since 2018 and highlights the impressive performance of many of our firms, and their steadfast resilience in recent years.

In the last 12 months, the sector has demonstrated double-digit growth across a number of measures and we are now tracking over 1,800 companies. The sector’s revenue has grown to more than £10 billion for the first time, and the sector has added over 6,000 jobs. 2021 was also a record year for external investment into the sector – with over £1 billion raised by firms across the UK.

4. Cyber Explorers: new schools programme

DCMS has launched a new free learning platform for young people aged 11 to 14 called Cyber Explorers. Cyber Explorers uses characters, quizzes and activities to show students how digital, computing and cyber skills can lead to a range of career paths, including social media content creation, sports technology and medical research. The platform is part of government plans to create a highly-skilled and more diverse pipeline of talent for the UK’s fast-growing and in-demand cyber security industry. Designed to engage younger students before they choose subjects for their GCSEs and equivalent qualifications, Cyber Explorers aims to improve the diversity of pupils picking computer science courses at Key Stage 4.

5. Government cyber security talent scheme

The government is currently recruiting people for its cyber apprenticeship and fast stream programmes. Cyber Apprentices will work towards developing deep technical skills throughout the programme and beyond to become recognised cyber experts.Fast Streamers will join the government’s flagship leadership development programme that will provide the necessary skills to reach the very highest levels of the Government Security Profession.

Applications are open until Thu 10 March.

6. Digital Security by Design Workshops

To help promote their work on Digital Security by Design, the initiative to transform digital infrastructure to make it more secure and to reduce existing hardware vulnerabilities, Innovate UK are hosting a series of events exploring the history of computing.

On Monday 21 February the programme held an event at Bletchley Park about the history of computers. You can watch a video about the event here.

The upcoming events are:

Exploring new technologies in cyber security Glasgow Science Centre, 10am to 12.30pm, Thursday 3 March 2022

Strengthen the foundations and make the world more secure Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, 10am to 12.30pm, Tuesday 8 March 2022

The future for trusted computers The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, 10am to 12.30pm, Thursday 10 March 2022.

7. Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill: Second Reading

On Wednesday 26 January the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill (PSTI Bill) had its second reading in Parliament. This is a landmark piece of legislation that will improve the cyber security of connected products sold to consumers in the UK.

The Bill will place new cyber security requirements on the manufacturers and sellers of consumer tech which can connect to the internet or other devices. Under the bill, easy-to-guess default passwords which come programmed into digital devices and present an easy target for cybercriminals will be banned. Manufacturers will have to be more transparent to customers about the length of time products will receive security updates for connectable products, and create a better public reporting system for vulnerabilities found in those products

8. Cyber Scotland Week, February 28 to March 6

This week is Cyber Scotland Week, which draws together events across Scotland designed to make businesses, organisations and individuals more cyber aware and resilient. The three themes for the week are protection, innovation and skills and careers and there are a range events, including how to build an effective cyber security strategy, how to create a human firewall and how to stay safe on social media.

You can follow the week and share your thoughts on #CSW2022.

9. Secure South West Cyber Conference, Wednesday 23 March

The South West Cyber Security Cluster is pleased to announce Secure South West, an event that brings together industry, academia, education and local businesses to discuss cyber security and how to secure a safer digital future.

Taking place on Wednesday 23 March, the event will include presentations and discussions on topics including social media, business protection, innovation and skills development. Erika Lewis, director of cyber security at DCMS will be a keynote speaker.

10. Government visit to the £3.7m Business Cyber Centre in Chippenham

On Wednesday 16 February, Lauren Metalle, DCMS Cyber Growth and Innovation Regional Lead for the South West, visited the Business Cyber Centre at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham. Lauren met with colleagues from the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP and the Cities and Local Growth Unit to tour the new site as work continues to get the centre ready for its formal opening on 10 May 2022.

An exciting new part of the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP, the Business Cyber Centre is a £3.7million project that will act as a base for SMEs to scale up in the £5 billion a year UK cyber market. It aims to create 250 jobs, with 45 already secured, and will also be home to the Swindon and Wiltshire Cyber Cluster and will facilitate exclusive networking and contract opportunities for cyber professionals.

11. Way to Work: a new service for employers

As part of a national programme to help more job seekers benefit from the record number of vacancies in the job market the government has launched a new programme called Way to Work.

If you are an employer looking to fill vacancies the Department for Work and Pensions will offer you a named employer adviser in your local job centre or a dedicated account manager if you are a national company. The advisers can help with a range of services, including setting up work trials, advice on work experience and apprenticeships and introductions to potential employees through events and recruitment fairs.

To find out more you can contact the team on 0800 169 0178 or email employer.services@dwp.gov.uk.