The UK government has laid out its plans to become a “global cyber power” in 2022 in a new policy document released last night (December 15).
In the statement from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), British policy makers said next year will see an “advance” in cyberspace within the nation and its workforce.
It reads: “…this means more diversity in the workforce, levelling up the cyber sector across all UK regions, expanding our offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, and prioritizing cyber security in the workplace, boardrooms, and digital supply chains.”
Indeed, diversity and inclusion are key drivers in the plans. The coming year will see a new adult scheme “which will ensure that people from all backgrounds have access to these high skill, high priority jobs,” said the NCSC.
The government agency will also support the Cyber Runway scheme which aims to support 107 innovators in growing and develop their businesses, with the majority of member companies outside of London and the south east of England and a further 45% led by women and 52% run by founders from black and minority ethnic groups.
“Funding for these growth and skills programmes will be reoriented away from large, often London-based initiatives to a regionally delivered model which will mean more jobs and better opportunities for people across the UK,” the release adds.
Alongside a key focus on diversity, the government also plans to improve cyber education for young people with its Cyber Explorers scheme, which includes an online learning platform.