Proposals to give teenagers cyber-security training have been welcomed. The Cyber Security Skills: Business Perspectives and Government’s Next Steps report, includes plans to provide training for teachers to enable them to teach pupils about cyber security. Support will also be available for universities that come up with proposals to improve cyber security teaching. And a new internship scheme will help provide students with work experience.
Peter Armstrong, director of cyber security, Thales UK, said: “This new report highlights the positive and necessary steps that are needed to tackle the UK’s cyber skills gap. This incentive to push cyber-security education into schools should be welcomed by the security industry and government. Any initiative that aims to increase the general capability and awareness in the cyber defence space and ultimately strengthen the UK’s overall cyber defence posture, should be implemented as soon as possible to continually address the evolving cyber threat we face. It is important that schools are able to start supporting organisations by training up the next generation of cyber security experts from a young age, giving them the necessary tools and skills to deal with the latest cyber threats in the workplace.”
The Coalition Government proposes learning materials for 11 to 14 year-olds and a new higher-level and advanced apprenticeships.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, pictured, said: “Today countries that can manage cyber security risks have a clear competitive advantage. By ensuring cyber security is integral to education at all ages, we will help equip the UK with the professional and technical skills we need for long-term economic growth.”
Sir David Pepper spoke for institutions in the Cyber Security Skills Alliance – the IET ( Institution of Engineering and Technology); BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT; the Institute for Information Security Professionals (IISP); the Information Assurance Advisory Council (IAAC) and e-skills UK. Sir David Pepper said: “We warmly welcome this report and the actions it proposes. It is clear from this and our own research that the national shortage of cyber skills is a key issue for businesses and government in the fight against the growing threat from cyber crime. We will work closely with the government and industry in support of this programme, in particular to help establish career paths in cyber security and improve recruitment and training.”
Plans in the report include:
new e-skills UK employer-led cyber security higher and advanced level apprenticeship schemes
new e-skills UK projects to develop key stage 3 learning materials and training for teachers (delivered with Naace)
e-skills UK will roll-out their Secure Futures schools campaign in London, Greater Manchester and Sussex with the support of employers, after a trial in Worcestershire
a new e-skills UK cyber security internship scheme, for students to gain the work experience sought by employers
support, through the Higher Education Academy, for universities who develop innovative proposals to improve cyber security teaching. For example, incorporating professional qualifications into degrees; getting businesses involved in course design and embedding cyber security into software engineering and computing degrees
support for a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to provide introductory training on cyber security. Support for Centres for Doctoral training, to improve high-level cyber security skills. Working with vocational qualifications providers to look at how cyber security can be embedded in teaching in Further Education colleges
developing a certification process for masters degrees in cyber security and to help universities with certified masters degrees to attract additional numbers and students from the UK and abroad
support for activities to inspire more people to consider a career in cyber security, including ongoing support for the Cyber Security Challenge.
The Alliance launched a cyber security MSc sponsorship scheme offering bursaries for students to study for an MSc in cyber security. The pilot scheme began in 2013.
