UK convenes global coalition to boost cyber skills and tackle growing threats

Taking place at Wilton Park in West Sussex, the discussions come at a critical time following recent high-profile incidents, among them the global IT outage, an attack impacting NHS service providers and attempts to disrupt London’s substantial transport network.

Over the next three days, representatives of international organisations including the World Economic Forum and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will discuss how global cyber security workforces can be strengthened. The goal is to agree on ways in which to boost cyber skills and develop new professional standards.

To assist in these efforts, the UK will commission a new report, with attendees set to agree key focus areas for the document. The recommendations are expected to be published by the end of the year and will advance international collaboration to improve cyber skills and combat cyber crime.

Taking more immediate action, the UK Government is also launching a new scheme to deliver tailored support across regions of England and Northern Ireland. By tapping into local know-how, the move will fund initiatives which will directly address the cyber skills needs of individual areas, whether that’s through apprenticeships or companies developing new forms of cyber security.

This news follows on from the Government’s decision to designate Data Centres as Critical National Infrastructure alongside energy and water systems, which will bolster the UK’s security and allow central Government to support the sector in the event of critical incidents.

Supporting UK cyber skills will also boost the £11.9 billion cyber security industry and help to protect growth in the UK’s economy.

Significant improvement

Cyber Security Minister Feryal Clark said: “The UK needs a significant improvement in its cyber defences after the previous Government failed to strengthen our cyber laws. We’re fixing that situation.”

Clark continued: “Later this year, we’ll bring forward new measures to better protect the nation from cyber crime, while our new regional skills programme will support the next generation of cyber talent and innovators.”

Further, Clark noted: “This is a shared challenge, which is why we’re bringing together global allies to discuss and agree on steps to keep us safe online, improve cyber skills and protect our economy and public services.”

A total of £1.3 million is being made available for organisations such as universities, local councils and businesses to provide cyber skills training. That money will also fund organisations developing new innovations in cyber defence across England and Northern Ireland. Delivered by Innovate UK, applications for the scheme are now open and will see grants of up to £150,000 awarded to winning applicants by March 2025.

Alongside this, the Government has also launched a competition to find the best young cyber talent to represent the UK on the international stage.

Global agenda

The three-day cyber event demonstrates the UK’s leadership in bringing like-minded countries together to discuss what is one of the biggest threats facing nations around the world today. It’s hoped that the discussions will firmly place cyber on the global agenda and that the event will become a regular fixture, with other nations expected to serve as host going forward.

To mark the opening, the UK has published the latest figures from its Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market Survey. The findings show that, while the estimated annual shortfall for jobs in the UK’s cyber workforce has reduced – down from 11,200 last year to just 3,500 this year – circa 44% of UK businesses don’t have the fundamental skills in place to protect themselves from cyber attacks.  

The figures highlight the need for further targeted action to ensure the UK’s cyber security workforce can continue to develop a rich pipeline of diverse talent that will help in keeping the nation safe online in the years to come.

To further bridge the global cyber skills gap, the UK is also teaming up with CREST International – a non-profit organisation representing standards in the global cyber security community – in order to launch the CREST Cyber Accelerated Maturity Programme.

This Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-sponsored scheme will provide mentoring to cyber service providers to develop their capabilities, experience and skills in line with CREST’s standards, while in parallel also bolstering training. Countries in Europe, Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East have been invited to join as Founding Partners.

The UK Government is taking swift action to address vulnerabilities and protect the nation’s digital economy to deliver growth by bringing forward the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This will strengthen the UK’s cyber defences by ensuring that critical infrastructure – and the digital services upon which companies rely – are secure.

International framework

Wilton Park CEO Tom Cargill stated: “Cyber security is becoming more and difficult to perfect, but it’s also ever-more essential that we do. That’s why it’s vital that we have a strong international framework of standards for cyber professionals.”

Cargill added: “Wilton Park plays a discreet, but critical role in supporting the skills and knowledge required to protect and advance global freedoms, both on and offline, so we’re delighted to be hosting the dialogue that’s aimed squarely at building an effective and internationalised cyber security profession.”

Nick Emmerson, president of The Law Society of England and Wales, commented: “The legal sector is especially vulnerable to cyber threats due to its critical role in the UK’s economy. We welcome these talks to address the growing threat. Legal professionals handle highly sensitive client information, making cyber security essential for protecting both clients and businesses.”

Emmerson went on to state: “Our joint report produced in tandem with the National Cyber Security Centre stresses the importance of cyber security training and strong governance. We fully support international collaboration to strengthen global defences against cyber threats.”

In conclusion, Emmerson observed: “In England and Wales, initiatives like the National Skills Fund and the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Essentials Programme have already improved cyber security skills for legal firms. We welcome the continuation and expansion of these programmes to improve cyber skills and protect the digital economy.”