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Section 7
DEVELOP
security into the curriculum. Everyone
studying computer science, technology
or digital skills will learn the fundamentals
of cyber security and will be able to bring
those skills into the workforce. As part
of this effort, we will address the gender
imbalance in cyber-focused professions,
and reach people from more diverse
backgrounds, to make sure we are
drawing from the widest available talent
pool. We will work closely with the
Devolved Administrations to encourage a
consistent approach across the UK.
7.1.7. We will set out more clearly the
respective roles of government and
industry, including how these might
evolve over time. The UK Government
and Devolved Administrations have a
key role in creating the right environment
for cyber security skills to be developed
and to update the education system to
reflect the changing needs of industry and
government. But employers also have a
significant responsibility to clearly articulate
their needs, as well as train and develop
employees and young people entering
the profession. Industry has an important
role in building diverse and attractive
career and training pathways in partnership
with academia, professional bodies and
trade associations.
7.1.8. In recognition of the collective
challenge we face in closing the skills
gap, we will establish a skills advisory
group formed of government, employers,
professional bodies, skills bodies,
education providers and academia, which
will strengthen the coherence between
these key sectors. This group will support
the development of a long-term strategy
which will take account of developments in
the broad field of digital skills, ensuring that
cyber security considerations are aligned
and incorporated throughout. This group
will work with similar bodies across the UK.
National Cyber Security Strategy 2016
7.1.9. Alongside this work, the Government
will invest in a range of initiatives to bring
about immediate improvements and inform
the development of the long-term skills
strategy. These include:
• establishing a schools programme
to create a step change in specialist
cyber security education and
training for talented 14-18 year olds
(involving classroom-based activities,
after-school sessions with expert
mentors, challenging projects and
summer schools);
• creating higher and degree-level
apprenticeships within the energy,
finance and transport sectors to
address skills gaps in essential areas;
• establishing a fund to retrain
candidates already in the workforce
who show a high potential for the cyber
security profession;
• identifying and supporting quality cyber
graduate and post graduate education,
and identifying and filling any specialist
skills gaps – acknowledging the key
role that universities play in skills
development;
• supporting the accreditation of teacher
professional development in cyber
security. This work will help teachers,
and others supporting learning, to
understand cyber security education
and provide a method of externally
accrediting such individuals;
• developing the cyber security
profession, including through achieving
Royal Chartered status by 2020,
reinforcing the recognised body of cyber
security excellence within the industry
and providing a focal point which can
advise, shape and inform national policy;
• developing a Defence Cyber Academy
as a centre of excellence for cyber
training and exercise across the
Ministry of Defence and wider
Government, addressing specialist
skills and wider education;