WHAT STRATEGIES
ARE COMPANIES
PUTTING IN PLACE
TO INVEST IN
CYBERSKILLS?
B
usiness leaders
are seemingly
doing more
towards closing
the skills gap
as the growing
demand for
cyberskills and a more socially mobile
and diverse workforce increases.
BAE Systems and the National Cyber
Security Centre (NCSC) hosted a
CyberFirst event in Manchester to
showcase cybersecurity careers to
young people. Held at Manchester’s
Science and Industry Museum, the event
showed Year 8 and 9 students and their
families how studying technology can
improve creativity, problem solving and
analytical skills for future careers.
BAE Systems, Manchester Digital and
the NCSC ran a full day of activities
and practical sessions aimed at helping
young people from a wide variety of
backgrounds to explore their passion
for tech by introducing them to the
world of cybersecurity.
CyberFirst events are designed to
address a cybersecurity skills shortage
in the UK. The intention is to encourage
more young people from as many
cultural and social backgrounds as
possible to explore a career in the
computer science profession and put in
place a foundation for the future.
www.intelligentciso.com
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Issue 23
see so many young people interested in
learning more about cybersecurity.
“We want to ensure these bright,
inquisitive minds maintain their interest in
cybersecurity in order to secure the UK a
significant talent pipeline for the sector.
“BAE Systems has done a fantastic job
in leading this event and we hope that
it has encouraged some of the young
people in attendance to keep up their
interest in the area.”
“Developing, nurturing and promoting
cyberskills is of vital importance to our
economy, society and development as
a nation – and it’s really important it
isn’t confined to just one place, social
group, race or gender,” said Victoria
Knight, Strategic Business Director at
BAE Systems. “The schoolchildren at
CyberFirst showed us how the right
combination of enthusiasm, readiness
to learn and existing skills are building
a thriving future – both for them and
Greater Manchester.”
Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for
Skills and Growth, said: “It’s great to
Students attended workshops
throughout the day, with individual
breakout groups focusing on
everything from digital forensics,
cryptography, language analysis to
understanding cybersecurity.
The CyberFirst initiative runs
opportunities to establish a career in
cybersecurity, from courses to bursaries
and apprenticeships. Each activity
is designed to seek out people with
potential, offering the support, skills,
experience and exposure needed to
be the future first line of defence in our
CyberFirst world.
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