Policy paper

DSIT cyber security newsletter - June 2023

Published 30 June 2023

1. Director’s message

This year’s Cyber Sectoral Analysis identified just under 2,000 cyber sector businesses operating in the UK, with the vast majority of them being SMEs. They really are the beating heart of the UK cyber ecosystem and that is why I am pleased that once again we are running our Cyber Runway programme for another year. Delivered by Plexal, Cyber Runway will support companies to gain the skills, connections and mentorship they need to grow and develop new products and services. The Launch strand for startups and Ignite for founders are now open for recruitment. If you are interested or know someone who would benefit, please apply or share the news.

I am also pleased to announce we have launched our alpha Secure Connected Places Playbook that provides practical and accessible cyber security support for local authorities to improve the security of connected places, or ‘smart cities’, across the UK. We are now looking for local authorities to further test and refine the alpha Playbook in a beta phase of the project. Visit our project page to sign up to an information session or apply to take part. 

We have also announced the continuation of our Upskill in Cyber programme. If we are to address the skills gap in the cyber security sector we need to provide career pathways for people at every stage of life. Upskill in Cyber is targeted at UK professionals who are considering a career change and provides 14 weeks of free training and advice to encourage them to move into cyber.

Finally, DSIT will once again be sponsoring the Innovation Zone at Infosecurity Europe 2023. If you are attending or exhibiting at the conference please come along to meet the team and some of the amazing cyber sector companies we are showcasing at the event.

Erika Lewis

Director, Cyber Security and Digital Identity

2. Cyber Runway - ‘Launch’ and ‘Ignite’ applications open

Cyber Runway, the DSIT-funded accelerator for cyber companies, is returning for a third year to support the growth of the UK cyber sector. Delivered by Plexal, Cyber Runway provides business skills, mentoring and connections so businesses can grow and scale.

Cyber Runway will support companies across four cohorts: Launch, for start ups, Grow for SMEs, Scale for scaleups and Ignite for high potential founders. Launch and Ignite are now open for applications with recruitment closing on midnight June 26. Grow and Scale recruitment will launch later in the year.

3. Secure Connected Places Playbook

DSIT has launched the alpha Secure Connected Places Playbook that provides practical and accessible cyber security support for local authorities to improve the security of connected places, or ‘smart cities’, across the UK.  

Designed to be accessible for those without a technical background, the Playbook will help local authority teams who are working on connected places projects such as automated traffic and waste management systems and environmental monitoring to get their connected places cybersecurity foundations right and set a strong cyber security culture in the process.

DSIT are now looking for a new cohort of local authorities to further test and refine the alpha Playbook in a beta phase of the project. Visit our project page to sign up to an information session or apply to take part. If you would like to get in contact directly, please email secureconnectedplaces@dcms.gov.uk.

4. Upskill in Cyber returns

In partnership with the SANS Institute, DSIT has launched the second year of the Upskill in Cyber programme to help UK professionals make a career change into cybersecurity. The programme lasts 14 weeks and offers free training and advice to support UK workers looking to forge a cybersecurity career. First launched last year, the programme has trained over 200 students with non-cyber backgrounds, with many securing guaranteed job interviews upon successful completion of the training.
The Upskill in Cyber programme consists of two SANS cybersecurity training courses, SEC275: Foundations: Computers, Technology, and Security; and SEC401: Security Essentials: Network, Endpoint, and Cloud. Learners will be expected to commit 60-plus hours of study time to each course, as well as attending soft skills development sessions and employer engagements.

5. DSIT Cyber Growth and Innovation Forum - Leeds - June 12

On 12 June, DSIT will be hosting a Cyber Growth and Innovation Forum in Leeds to discuss the challenges facing the UK cyber sector and how the government can help support companies to grow and thrive. The session will cover a range of topics, including investment and procurement and offer a change for industry to engage with DSIT policy makers.

The event follows a successful Forum in Bristol earlier in the year that was attended by nearly 50 colleagues from across the cyber ecosystem. If you want to have your say and shape the future of cyber, then please email cyberforums@stillcurious.co to attend.

6. Cyber Security Trade Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 6-9 November 2023

On behalf of the British Embassy Riyadh, UK Defence & Security Exports at the Department for Business and Trade is excited to announce a UK Cybersecurity Trade Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in November 2023.

The trade mission will provide an opportunity to grow your understanding of the KSA market and meet with potential clients, and is timed to coincide with the Global Cybersecurity Forum expected to be hosted in Riyadh on the 8-9 Nov 2023.

The mission is open to all UK Cybersecurity companies and will focus on (but is not limited to) Cybersecurity provision for financial institutions and mega and giga projects (such as NEOM).  To register your interest please register here.

If you have any further questions please feel free to get in touch with caren.flavelle@fcdo.gov.uk.

7. New £1 billion strategy for UK’s semiconductor sector

The UK government has launched a new semiconductor strategy, a 20-year plan to secure the world-leading strengths of the UK’s semiconductor industry. The National Semiconductor Strategy sets out how an initial £1 billion of government investment will boost the UK’s strengths and skills in design, R&D and compound semiconductors, while helping to grow domestic chip firms across the UK.

Working in tandem with industry, investment made by the government will drive research, innovation and commercialisation through the sector - helping to deliver products from lab to market.

8. National Cyber Force: Responsible Cyber Power in Practice

The National Cyber Force (NCF) has published National Cyber Force: Responsible Cyber Power in Practice, a document that, for the first time, sets out the NCF’s strategy on delivering responsible cyber operations to support the UK’s national security priorities.
The publication outlines NCF’s operational approach, building upon two decades of experience from its partners and demonstrating how the UK’s approach is different from that of irresponsible cyber actors. The NCF intends the document to encourage discussion within the cyber ecosystem around the utility of cyber operations and evolve thinking as the collective understanding of these capabilities evolve.

9. Launch of Cardiff Cyber Innovation Hub

To accelerate the growth of the cyber sector in South Wales, last month saw the launch of the Cyber Innovation Hub (CIH) led by Cardiff University, and funded by the Welsh Government, Cardiff Capital Region and in-kind support from consortium partners. Professor Pete Burnap, Director of CIH said: “This is a unique opportunity to galvanise the existing expertise and investments in the region by joining the dots to work as an outcome-focussed cluster. We aim to grow the number of cyber security companies anchored in Wales by 50% and upskill 1,500 people with hands-on technical skills through bitesize, affordable training.”

10. UK-France Cyber Dialogue

Last month, CSDI Deputy Director Andrew Elliot participated in the UK-France Cyber Dialogue, organised by our colleagues at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Following the Dialogue UK officials visited the Cyber Campus in Paris, a key deliverable of France’s 2021 National Acceleration Strategy for Cyber Security - which committed to mobilising 1 billion euros to accelerate innovation and create new synergies within the cyber ecosystem. 

The Cyber Campus first opened in February 2022 and is based in the city’s financial district. It now hosts some 180 companies, from start-ups to established global brands. We are excited to see what opportunities may lie ahead to share learning between France’s Cyber Campus and the UK’s cyber innovation community.

11. Crown Commercial Services Supplier Webinar

Crown Commercial Services would like you to join them to discuss the next iteration of the Cyber Security Services agreement (Cyber Security Services 4).

The webinar will provide an opportunity for suppliers to learn more about the current agreement (RM3764.3 Cyber Security Services 3), provide feedback and discuss the next iteration.

The agenda will cover: Cyber Security Services 3, updates from the cyber team, Cyber Security Services 4: scope, structure, platform, and terms and conditions. It will then be followed by a Q&A.

12. Invitation to sign the Ukraine Business Compact

On June 21 and 22 the UK will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, an event that will mobilise the international community to help secure Ukraine’s long-term economic future, including helping Ukraine build back better, as a more resilient, greener, and more prosperous European nation. In particular, the URC23 will place emphasis on the role of the private sector and the reforms required to drive investment.

As part of this, UK businesses are being invited to sign the Ukraine Business Compact, a declarative and non-binding statement of business support for Ukraine’s recovery. The Ukraine Business Compact gives leading international businesses a platform to show their support for Ukraine’s recovery and its drive to modernise, build a resilient and agile economy and emerge from conflict as a stronger and more prosperous state. As a signatory you will join thousands of companies around the world supporting the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. 
To sign the Compact please return the attached PDF to: UkraineBusinessCompact@fcdo.gov.uk. You can read the privacy notice here.

13. Ethnic Minority in Cyber events

The Ethnic Minority in Cyber network is organising a series of events to support students and professionals:

• Understand different cyber roles and what employers want, Thursday 8 June
• CV and social media presence clinic, Tuesday 13 June
• Cyber entrepreneurs and start-ups, Tuesday 20 June
• Interview and soft skills, Thursday 22 June
• National Symposium on Cyber Strength through Ethnic Diversity, Birmingham, Tuesday 27 June