The new UK Cyber Security Council (funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) will provide a single governing voice for the industry to set standards and define career and learning paths for the cyber security sector. This will establish the knowledge, skills and experience required for a range of cyber security jobs, bringing it in line with other professions such as law, medicine and engineering.

The Council will boost skilled job prospects around the country by providing a clear roadmap for building a career in cyber security and focus on increasing the number and diversity of people entering the profession.

The body will work with training providers to accredit courses and qualifications, and give employers the information and confidence they need to recruit effectively to ensure their cyber capability.

The Engineering Council is pleased to have supported the development of the UK Cyber Security Council as a member of the Cyber Security Alliance, sharing our expertise on regulatory matters including governance and professional ethics.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said:

“The fact we are launching an independent professional body for cyber security shows just how vital this area has become – it makes a huge contribution to our thriving digital economy by safeguarding our critical national infrastructure, commerce and other online spaces.

The UK Cyber Security Council will ensure anyone interested in an exciting career tackling online threats has access to world-class training and guidance. It will also champion diversity and inclusion, driving up standards while helping the nation to build back better and safer.

This latest move comes after a feedback from a 2018 DCMS public consultation looking at the issues facing the profession, which showed overwhelming support for a new body.

Working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Council will strongly support the Government’s £1.9 billion National Cyber Security Strategy to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.”

The council has appointed its inaugural Board of Trustees to guide the organisation as it establishes itself over the coming years. This includes:

• Chair: Dr. Claudia Natanson - a Global Cyber Security expert who was previously CSO at DWP, MD at BT Secure Business Service and CISO at Diageo Plc
• Vice-Chair: Jessica Figueras - Tech market strategist, Chair of NCT, previously Chief Analyst at GlobalData
• Trustee: Carla Baker - Senior Director, Policy & Government Affairs UK & Ireland, Palo Alto Networks
• Treasurer: Mike Watson - Chief Financial Officer, Marston Holdings, previously with Dell, HP and BAE Systems cyber security division

The Council will be formally launched on March 31. For further details, please see the government announcement.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Engineering Council holds the national Register of Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Information and Communication Technology Technicians (ICTTech). It also sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of competence and ethics that govern the award and retention of these titles. Through these processes it is able to ensure that employers, government and wider society, both at home and overseas, can have confidence in the skills and commitment of registrants. For more information visit: www.engc.org.uk

Kate Webster, Engineering Council – kwebster@eng.org.uk, 020 3206 0567