Shortage of cyber security experts
A summary to the report, entitled Cyber Security Skills and the UK's Critical ... apparent lack of urgency in addressing the cyber security skills gap in relation to ... that would grant royal chartered status to cyber professionals".
Commissioned by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the research shows children are four times more likely to be sought out for guidance, ahead of search engines such as Google, when online accounts are being created and importantly when checking the security settings on connected devices.
Teenagers over the age of 16 were the preferred choice for advice on how to be secure online by 15 per cent, compared to 10 per cent who said they would ask work colleagues and 8 per cent who would speak to a partner.
The survey of 2,500 people, businesses and charities, also found that 22 per cent would turn to children aged over 16 for help creating online accounts, and by 19 per cent to check security settings on a device.
“Children are a vital cog in protecting online devices but we can’t emphasise enough the importance of increasing the numbers of those actively participating in cyber security,” said Chris Ensor, NCSC deputy director for skills and growth.
“Whether this is for future professionals who are seeking a career within national security or on a wider societal context, ensuring children understand how networks work and not just how to use them will help to ensure the UK remains protected online now and in the future.”
In January, the NCSC said that its CyberFirst programme, which is designed to encourage young people to develop their cyber-security skills, has trebled its intake since it launched in 2016.
The body is also preparing to crown the winner of its CyberFirst Girls competition in Edinburgh, designed to encourage more young girls to consider cyber security as a career option, which attracted a record 12,000 girls aged 12 and 13 this year.
“The CyberFirst Girls competition is a great way of getting young women involved in a world they may not have known before taking part. Congratulations to all the girls who took part in this year’s competition and we look forward to seeing who claims the prize over the next two days,” Ensor added.
source eandtIndustry: Cyber Security News
Latest Jobs
-
- Cyber Security Professional Services Lead | London | Immediate
- London
- N/A
-
Cyber Security Professional Services Lead London / Hybrid This role leads the delivery function for a cyber security professional services team, with ownership of utilisation, delivery quality, and team performance across multiple client programmes. You will drive billable utilisation, ensure projects are delivered on time and to standard, and manage resource planning across a complex portfolio. Acting as the escalation point for key engagements, you will also lead and develop a high-performing consulting team, maintaining strong client relationships and consistent delivery standards. Key responsibilities: Drive utilisation and delivery performance Ensure quality, on-time delivery across engagements Manage resource planning and capacity Act as escalation point for key programmes Lead and develop the consulting team Background: Currently leading a cyber or technology professional services function Recent track record improving utilisation and delivery outcomes Experience across multi-client, complex programmes Strong senior stakeholder engagement A hands-on leadership role with accountability for delivery, team performance, and commercial outcomes
-
- Cyber Security Sales | Enterprise | New Business | London
- City of London
- Uncapped OTE
-
Enterprise Account Executive | Cyber Security | UK London / UK (hybrid with client engagement) A scaling cyber security firm is hiring an Enterprise Account Executive to drive growth across large UK organisations. This role blends new business with ownership. You will open doors, create demand, and win enterprise accounts, then retain and grow those relationships into long-term, high-value partnerships. Targeting senior stakeholders at CISO, CIO, and board level, you will shape and close complex deals across cyber security, cloud, and transformation programmes. This is a strategic role. Fewer accounts, higher value, longer cycles. You are expected to build pipeline from scratch, with support around you but without reliance on inbound or marketing. A recent and consistent track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets is essential. This role requires someone currently performing at a high level in enterprise sales. UK-based, with remote working and client engagement as needed. Competitive base and uncapped earnings, with scope to build a meaningful enterprise portfolio.
-
- Cyber Security Sales | Financial Services | New Business | London
- England
- Uncapped OTE
-
New Business Lead | Cyber Security | Financial Services | London / UK UK Remote / London client travel A well-backed cyber security and technology firm is looking to hire a senior New Business Lead to drive UK growth, with a particular focus on Financial Services. This is a position for someone who knows how to open doors where others cannot. A role built around identifying opportunity, challenging incumbents, and converting that into long-term client relationships and revenue. You will own new logo acquisition across FS, working closely with leadership to shape go-to-market strategy and position across cyber security, cloud, and modernisation offerings. Full ownership of the sales lifecycle. Pipeline creation, deal strategy, negotiation, and close. The expectation is simple. Build momentum, win key accounts, and scale a function around you as revenue grows. Strong experience selling into Financial Services environments is key. Credibility at CISO, CIO, and board level matters. Remote-first, with London and client engagement as required. Competitive base, uncapped earnings, and genuine scope to build something meaningful. The successful sales person MUST have a recent history and current experinece of achieving / overachieving against sales target.