National Cyber Resilience Centre Group launched by security minister

The NCRCG is funded and supported by the Home Office, policing and selected ‘Ambassador Partners’ representing some of the UK’s largest businesses and organisations. Specifically, it’s designed to support the growth of the Cyber Resilience Centre network across England and Wales, which already exists to help smaller organisations face the challenges posed by cyber crime in today’s world.

Further, the NCRCG will assist in expanding UK capabilities in the cyber realm by fashioning a “second-to-none” ‘Talent Pipeline’ of students.

Speaking at the special launch event in York held to celebrate the success of the North East Business Resilience Centre, Damian Hinds noted: “Cyber crime can exert an horrendous impact on people’s lives. It costs the UK economy £27 billion each year and it’s businesses who bear the brunt of this. Improving the UK’s cyber resilience is therefore a key priority for the Government.”  

Hinds continued: “I’m delighted to be launching the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group, which will build on the work of nine regional Cyber Resilience Centres. It’s a great example of what effective collaboration between Government, police forces, business and academia can achieve.”  

In addition, the MP observed: “I welcome the involvement of businesses and other organisations across the UK who have stepped up as ‘Ambassador Partners’ for the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group. All of them are leading examples of how to combat cyber crime. What’s more, they’re also creating the next generation of cyber experts by supporting the growth of a nationwide student ‘Talent Pipeline’.”   

Hinds concluded his speech by stating: “This new National Cyber Resilience Centre Group is a flagship enterprise of the public and private sector ably demonstrating how innovation can support the business community.” 

‘Ambassador Partners’

Representatives from several of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group’s founder ‘Ambassador Partners’ attended the event, including individuals from Cantium, CGI, KPMG UK and The Very Group.

Richard Holmes, lead for UK cyber at CGI, commented: “CGI is delighted to be supporting this important initiative. As a large IT services company, we understand the importance of good cyber security for not only ourselves, but also the UK’s entire business ecosystem. This is a great initiative focused on smaller companies who have historically found it challenging to know what to do when it comes to cyber and sometimes struggle to find the necessary resources. It’s also a great mechanism to give students and those early in their careers some experience of cyber security in a business context.”

Martin Tyley, head of cyber at KPMG UK, added: “KPMG UK is proud to be a founding ‘Ambassador Partner’ of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group. We have seen first-hand the importance of collaboration across our business communities to collectively challenge the threat posed by cyber crime. The National Cyber Resilience Centre Group now has an important role to play in accelerating and sustaining the fantastic progress that has been achieved regionally across the UK.”

‘Talent Pipeline’

A centralised route is being created for the development of the national ‘Talent Pipeline’ of students. Currently, each Cyber Resilience Centre works closely with its local universities to hand-pick a unique and talented cadre of students who help deliver the cyber resilience services they offer. This process affords the students valuable exposure to smaller businesses and organisations – which, in point of fact, comprise the majority of the UK’s economy – and equips them with the practical skills they need in order to thrive in their future careers.

Rebecca Chapman, CEO at the North East Business Resilience Centre, explained: “We’re aware that most non-specialists don’t know where to begin when it comes to cyber defences, so it’s our job to provide support to smaller organisations that’s accessible, affordable and appropriate. Key to our approach, both at the North East Business Resilience Centre and across the Cyber Resilience Centre network, is working with university students and, in the process, nurturing our next generation of cyber experts. Building up a national ‘Talent Pipeline’ is going to be absolutely crucial if we want to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to preventing cyber crime. I’m delighted that this goal is central to the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group’s ambition.”  

As the remit of the Cyber Resilience Centres continues to grow, so too will that of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group and its ongoing need for champions across the business, third sector and academic communities.

Looking to the future, the Group will therefore be unveiling additional opportunities for organisations to join in with the fight against cyber crime.

Detective Superintendent Nick Bell, CEO of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group and national policing director for the Cyber Resilience Centres, concluded: “Cyber crime costs our national economy. It affects organisations’ ability to trade, their ability to recruit and retain staff and, ultimately, can have a considerable impact on their bottom line. In the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group, we have a platform for leading the charge to strengthen our national cyber resilience and develop Best Practice across the country. By working together, the police, Government, business, third sector organisations and the academic communities have the potential to minimise the risk posed by cyber criminals and support those who most need cyber protection.”

*Follow the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group on Twitter by clicking here and on LinkedIn by clicking here