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Programme launched to tackle cyber security skills gap

about 6 years ago by Lucy Cinder

Programme launched to tackle cyber security skills gap

cyber security

The programme, launched by CompTIA, will train IT workers to give them and their businesses the skills that they need to protect them online.

A fully funded cyber security training programme to help Scottish businesses tackle the cyber skills gap has been launched today.

Cyber Ready Scotland: A professional Upskilling Pilot Programme will train IT workers to give them and their businesses the skills that they need to protect them online.

Launched by leading IT trade association CompTIA, the programme is funded by the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership and is aligned to Skills Development Scotland's digital skills investment plan.

The organisers say that cyber security is a tier one national threat and that the cyber security skills gap is leaving organisations' defences vulnerable to hackers as there are not enough qualified cyber security professionals to help protect them.

And cyber security skills are the third most in demand digital skill in Scotland, according to the Scottish Technology Industry survey.

It also estimates that there will be up to 2,120 unfilled cyber security-related job roles in Scotland and a predicted 800,000 in the whole of the UK by 2020.

To help plug this gap, the Cyber Ready Scotland pilot will offer an initial 15 people in IT departments in Scottish businesses world class cyber security training through a six-month distance learning programme.

During the course, entrants must dedicate eight hours a week to study independently, involving adaptive learning through CompTIA’s CertMaster Practice tool, which responds in real-time to students’ feedback.

Students will have access to ITProTV, a video training provider for everything IT related. The programme is now open to applications.

Businesses are encouraged to put forward employees to apply for Cyber Ready Scotland. The employers of the individuals enrolled in the programme will be eligible to receive up to 50 CompTIA CyberSecure licenses.

CyberSecure is an online training programme that gives all employees – from CEO, to receptionist – a basic level of cyber security knowledge.

ITJobswatch.co.uk shows that the median salary in cyber security in Scotland is £57,500 – one of the most lucrative and fast-growing sectors.

The 15 candidates will be selected by a panel of assessors to receive expert guidance and learning material with the aim to become skilled cyber security analysts. They will gain the industry recognised CompTIA certifications Security+ and Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+).

Graham Hunter, VP EMEA at CompTIA said: “The cyber security skills gap is an issue that’s compromising national security. Cyber Ready Scotland will help plug the skills gaps by upskilling the existing workforce to move into in-demand roles in the high growth cybersecurity sector. If successful, we aim to push the programme wider so more people can have the chance to join this important sector.”

Claire Gillespie, digital sector manager at Skills Development Scotland said: “We have chosen to support this programme because of the immediate business need it addresses, with cyber security skills being in such high demand, and the innovative and thorough way in which the course is structured.

“CompTIA has a long and proven record of delivering high quality training and certifications, and we look forward to congratulating the first round of graduates.”

CompTIA has awarded more than 500,000 CompTIA Security+ certifications globally, validating cyber security skills.

Source insider

Industry: Cyber Security News

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