National Cyber Security Centre Annual Report 2019 - What Does the Future Hold?
Today we look at the UK's NCSC 2019 Annual Report to see what is says about the future challenges to digital TIPS . The report runs from 1st September 2018 to 31st August 2019, highlighting the events and developments in cyber security over that period.
NCSC has published its 3rd report in 2019, looking at the current and future challenges to cyber security. Our focus is on part 6 of the report: Cyber capability for the future, which has 3 branches: human capital, research, and innovation.
Human Capital
NCSC looks to nourish and encourage people to consider a career in cyber security from young age (11+) through 2 primary means: the CyberFirst initiative, and the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge.
CyberFirst, an initiative in its 4th year, has provided support, training, and work experience to over 750 undergraduates in the UK, with 56 people graduating a CyberFirst programme, and moving to work in cyber security.
Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) contributes to cyber security profession, by solidifying the knowledge on the subject, and helping people on the path to cyber security jobs through professional development. CyBOK released the first version of their work on 31 October 2019, accessible here.
Research
NCSC develops research excellence again through 2 primary means: the 19 Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR), and the 4 Research Institutes.
The Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) have the leadership commitment, funding, staff, and publications related to cyber security. Some provide doctoral studentships and centers for doctoral training in cyber security.
Research Institutes support industry-academia collaborations in cyber security, as well as advise on government policy, including UKRI Digital Security by Design challenge advisory board, and devloping the Institute of Technology Code of Practice.
Innovation
NCSC's sole means to encourage innovation is the Cyber Accelerator, which encourages start ups to develop new products and services in cyber security. 30 companies have participated in the Cyber Accelerator so far, creating jobs, and raising millions of pounds in investement.
UK Cyber Future Needs
All 3 NCSC reports (2017, 2018, 2019) have a section dedicated to the future, with significant focus on bringing the talented people necessary to create a thriving cyber security industry and community, including the focus on balancing gender and promoting science and technology outlook.
A thriving community is not built in a day, or even in the 4 years that NCSC has been running, and we all have a role to play in creating it.
