Blog

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s not just a day of acknowledgement; it’s a call to action. In the dynamic world of cyber security, where innovation shapes the future, the need for diverse perspectives is more critical than ever. In the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market 2023 article, it was published that only 17% of the cyber workforce is female. This percentage fell from 22% in 2022. This suggests that we’re currently facing women leaving the sector at a time when we’re doing all we can to encourage them into it.

It’s time for a change.

At UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3), we recognise the transformative power of inclusivity, especially in an industry evolving at the speed of technology.

Historically, the field of cyber security has been male-dominated. However, the landscape is evolving, and women are increasingly making their mark. Representation matters not just for the sake of parity but for the richness of thought it brings. Diverse teams drive innovation, enhance problem-solving, and reflect the broader spectrum of end-users.

At UKC3, we are committed to championing diversity in cyber security. Our clusters serve as hubs where professionals from various backgrounds, including women, converge to share insights, expertise, and visions for the future. These clusters play a pivotal role in creating networks that break down barriers and foster an environment where everyone’s voice is not just heard but valued. Many of the clusters also hold events where women and allies can network and discuss the issues and challenges they face in such a predominantly male workspace.

Encouraging the Next Generation

Inspiring the next generation of women in cyber security is fundamental to reshaping the industry’s narrative. UKC3 actively supports initiatives that encourage girls and young women from all walks of life, to explore STEM fields and, specifically, cyber security. By collaborating with educational institutions, industry leaders, and our vibrant cluster communities, we aim to create pathways that welcome and nurture female talent.

Below is Danielle Phillips’, Director of CyberNorth, take on advice she’d give women and girls who are considering joining the cyber sector. 

Women Leading Change

The narrative is changing. Women are taking leadership roles in shaping cybersecurity policies, driving technological advancements, and fostering innovation. UKC3 proudly highlights the achievements of women leaders within our clusters, showcasing their expertise and impact on the industry. Their stories serve as beacons, guiding others to envision a future where anyone, regardless of gender, can thrive in cyber security.

Below is a video of Dr. Clare Johnson’s, Founder of Women in Cyber Wales, thoughts on what International Women’s Day means to her. 

Next Steps

International Women’s Day is not just a day; it’s a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. At UKC3, we are dedicated to being catalysts for change in the cyber sector. By championing diversity, celebrating the achievements of women in the field, and fostering inclusive communities, we believe in a future where every voice, regardless of gender, plays a vital role in securing our digital world. Together, let’s empower women to shape the future of cyber. Happy International Women’s Day!

In January, CyberNorth announced the launch of two pilot Innovation Centres in Newcastle and Durham, thanks to funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). 

CyberNorth, serving as the cyber security cluster for North East England, is dedicated to fostering the growth and advancement of the regional cyber security sector. Their primary objective is to facilitate community unity, foster collaborative initiatives, and contribute to positioning the region as a distinguished hub for excellence in the cyber security industry. 

They do this by focusing on 4 areas:

• Raising awareness of cyber security regionally, nationally and internationally
• Helping new and existing local businesses grow
• Addressing gaps in skills and experiences
• Creating a strongly connected and collaborative cyber security community

This funding will empower CyberNorth working key partners to pilot the initiative, providing a proof of concept for further rollout across the region. The Innovation Centres aim to be a crucial platform for pioneering early-stage businesses in the cyber security field, fostering innovation and growth.

“We are delighted to have secured funding from DSIT. This is a ground-breaking moment for cyber security in our region. As a catalyst of support in the North East, the aim of CyberNorth is to bring the cyber security sector together, whilst championing the region nationally.  The roll-out of the ‘physical’ Innovation Centres is a big step in seeing our plans and collaborations with partners across the North East build further momentum.

The ministerial visit to the region last year was key and enabled the minister to see first-hand the challenges being faced, as well as the potential to grow the cyber security and digital sector to unlock new jobs and investment across the region. We are very excited to put the wheels in motion for this new venture.” 

Phil Jackman, Director, CyberNorth

As a key player in the UK’s cyber security landscape, the North East holds untapped potential. The DSIT funding presents an exciting opportunity to create ‘pop-up’ innovation centres, bringing innovators and business support together. Atom Bank, based in Aykley Heads, County Durham, and Floe in Newcastle, will support businesses under the programme, fostering and accelerating the startup process for cyber security businesses.

Collaborating with successful FinTech Atom Bank and co-working space provider, Floe, the centres will offer a six-month support package to accelerate the growth of businesses. This development follows the success of CyberFest 2023, a month-long cyber security festival, where CyberNorth plays a pivotal role in fuelling the growth of the region’s cyber security sector.

CyberNorth, part of UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration, has been dedicated to bolstering the region’s cybersecurity ecosystem. With around 900 members, it collaborates with other sector clusters, working towards creating small innovation hotspots to bring innovators and business support together.

John Davies MBE, Vice Chair and Director of UKC3 goes on to say “Innovation is a critical success factor of cyber-defence and this concept of ‘pop-up’ centres, being piloted by CyberNorth in the North East of England, is a truly innovative approach to the challenge of encouraging innovation in our clusters.  I, for one, am cheering them on from the sidelines and will help in any way I can because I’m genuinely interested in how these centres perform.”

Join us in celebrating this fantastic step forward for the North East’s cyber sector!

To learn more about the program, you can view Phil Jackman’s, Director at CyberNorth, briefing here or contact them directly via hello@cybernorth.biz

In addition, a link to the Application Form can be found here: Application form

At UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3), we’re delighted to welcome Cyber London as a valuable addition to our growing family of cyber clusters. As one of the largest cyber hubs in the cyber landscape, London holds a unique status as a global financial and technological centre. The establishment of a dedicated cyber cluster in this quickly evolving city marks a pivotal moment in fortifying the nation’s cyber security future.

Cyber London: A Catalyst for Growth

London is at the forefront of innovation driven by a thriving SME community and some of the world’s top Universities. Cyber London was set up to position itself as a champion for innovation, working with partners in the UK and overseas to develop a healthy ecosystem that encourages inward investment and maintains London’s position as a global leader in cyber.

Simon Newman, Director of Cyber London

In the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s UK cyber security sectoral analysis 2023, we see that Greater London makes up for 30% of Active Cyber offices. In deciding to support a cyber cluster in London, UKC3 are recognising the significance of London as a cyber powerhouse.

With a thriving ecosystem of startups, enterprises, and tech enthusiasts, London is at the forefront of technological advancements. By having a dedicated cyber hub, Cyber London aims to harness this energy and creativity to bolster the city’s resilience against cyber threats.

By concentrating efforts on specific technologies, Cyber London aims to create a community where groundbreaking ideas flourish. UKC3 is enthusiastic about this approach as it not only promotes innovation but also paves the way for collaborative ventures, inward investment, and sustained support.

Why London Matters to UKC3

Diverse Cyber Ecosystem: London’s cyber ecosystem is as diverse as the city itself. From financial institutions to tech startups and government bodies, the range of stakeholders creates a melting pot of ideas and solutions. UKC3 is eager to help facilitate collaboration among these diverse entities and other clusters, encouraging knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving.

Global Impact: As a global hub, decisions made in London resonate on an international scale. A robust cyber security framework in London not only protects local interests but also contributes to global cyber resilience. To achieve a secure digital future for all, UKC3 believes having a centre for all in London is a step in the right direction.

UKC3 is delighted to welcome the latest cluster launch this week of Cyber London joining the now national and regional network of seventeen individual clusters. The unique position of Cyber London will work collaboratively with all clusters to connect and represent the innovation opportunities where local expertise and industry concentration can be leveraged. UKC3 is looking forward to working with Cyber London and welcoming the team on board.

Linda Smith, Chair of UKC3

Looking Ahead

The journey with Cyber London is not just about establishing a cyber cluster; it’s about co-creating a future where innovation thrives, businesses flourish, and individuals are protected. Together, we embark on a mission to elevate London’s cyber security posture, and in doing so, fortifing the entire nation against the evolving cyber threats of the digital age.

As we welcome Cyber London into the UKC3 family, we anticipate a future where collaboration knows no limitations, and the cyber community in the UK becomes a beacon of inspiration for the world.

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting venture, together we can achieve a secure digital future.

February marked a month of new beginnings for the UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) community as not only did Cyber London join, but so did OxCyber! The establishment of regional cyber clusters plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, collaboration, and the overall resilience of the digital ecosystem, so signing on OxCyber as well is a huge milestone in our journey to a secure digital future.

The Oxfordshire and Thames Valley region is renowned for its academic strength and advances in technological development due to its diverse network of industry professionals, SMEs, start-ups, and, of course, academic institutions.

Fostering Local Expertise and Collaboration

I established OxCyber with the aim of bringing people together, fostering local cyber expertise, and cultivating collaboration. By championing information security and nurturing partnerships, we’re building a community dedicated to shaping a secure digital future for all. We are proud to be part of the wider UKC3 network and look forward to representing our area with dedication and excellence

Rebecca Keen, Managing Director for Keen People

OxCyber steps in to help ignite and encourage cyber and tech growth within their region by facilitating interactions between cyber professionals, enthusiasts, businesses, and organisations through meetings, webinars, in-person events, workshops, and mentorship programs.

Below are their Six Key Focus areas:

• Advocating Information Security
• Local Support
• Business Collaboration
• National Network
• Academic Engagement
• Cyber Training and Skills Development

How this Influences UKC3

We at UKC3 are happy to welcome OxCyber into the UKC3 cyber ecosystem. Their presence adds a valuable dimension, enriching collaboration and innovation across our clusters. Although a younger cluster, OxCyber has strong values that set them in a position to assist in strengthening the UK’s cyber posture that will push the sector into new heights.

Ben Shorrock, Director and Ecosystem Development Lead for UKC3

The establishment of a dedicated cyber cluster contributes to elevating the regional cyber ecosystem. It attracts attention, investment, and partnerships, positioning the Oxford and Thames Valley region as a focal point for cyber excellence. This, in turn, creates a positive feedback loop, where success breeds further success, attracting more talent and opportunities to the region and the country.

Being part of UKC3 connects OxCyber to a national network of cyber clusters. This interconnectedness is crucial in the face of cyber threats that often transcend regional boundaries. Collaborating with other clusters allows for the sharing of best practices, threat intelligence, and collaborative initiatives that benefit all.

Moving Towards a Secure Future

The recognition of OxCyber underlines a commitment to building a secure digital future. By fostering collaboration, addressing local challenges, and nurturing talent and innovation, clusters all over the country display cyber security excellence in their regions as well as the interconnectedness of the UK cyber community.

As part of UKC3, we believe OxCyber contributes to the overarching mission of enhancing the collective cyber security stance of the United Kingdom. Together, let’s embrace a future where cyber security thrives, and we can achieve more as a strong cyber network.

On Wednesday, 17th January, the UK and Japan agreed to a Memorandum of Cooperation to mature the two countries’ public-private partnerships in cyber.

This Memorandum is the culmination of many months of open and collaborative sessions between “one of our closes strategic partners” as Japan was described in the UK Government’s 2021 Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. Japan made it clear that they feel the same way in their new National Security Strategy, published in December 2022. 

In January 2023, the UK and Japan signed what has been called “the most important defence treaty between the two countries for over 100 years” and this quickly led to the ratification of the new Global Combat Air Programme to develop the next generation fighter aircraft between UK, Japan and Italy which will bring a decade of trade opportunities with it. 

The G7 Summit was held in Hiroshima in May 2023 and, alongside global discussions including cyber threats, the UK-Japan Hiroshima Accords were signed which incorporated collaborations on the development of cyber capability between the two countries. This paved the way for the launch of a new cyber cluster called Cyber Hiroshima as a branch of Cyber Wales, with launch ceremonies in both Hiroshima and Tokyo in September. Further cyber cooperation has followed, with the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Essentials certification of Japanese companies and the launch of the UK NCSC CyberFirst Programme taking place in Japan the week after next.

An inaugural Capture the Flag (CTF) competition is being run, in both languages simultaneously, using the SudoCyber gamified accelerated learning platform developed by a Welsh cyber security company based in Powys. 

The event is being staged on the 8th of February by Cyber Hiroshima and Cyber Wales at the British Embassy and Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo and John Davies MBE, Vice Chair of UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) and Co-founder of Cyber Wales, will be in Tokyo helping to marshal and judge the event. 

John Davies said “This historic chain of increasingly collaborative steps by our two countries has the global cyber security threat at its core, from National Cyber Security Strategies to the launch of Cyber Clusters which operate in partnership, we are engaged in top-to-bottom cyber cluster collaboration.  The opportunities for UK-based cyber security companies and practitioners are enormous and this UK-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation, which is “centred around collaboration across the public and private sector”, is the logical next step to encourage trade in cyber products and services moving forward”.

Here at UKC3, we believe it is key to pave the way for a secure digital future for all. UKC3 works with our cluster organisations in different ways connecting them with opportunities for best practice sharing, learning together, networking and collaborating on projects across the UK. This development not only benefits larger-scale operations, but smaller ones as well giving more opportunities to those in the sector. Further, we are proud to say that Cyber Wales, one of our founding clusters, has played an active role in furthering the UK-Japanese partnership.

Ben Shorrock, UKC3 Director and Ecosystem Development Lead, goes on to say “This Memorandum marks a pivotal moment in UK-Japan relations, solidifying our commitment to combating global cyber threats together. It’s more than a defence strategy; it’s a gateway to innovative trade and technology advancements, driving forward our collective cyber security leadership.”

For the official article by the cabinet office on the Memorandum of Cooperation between the UK and Japan, access it here. 

UKC3 are a proud recurring partner of the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge. This challenge aims to foster the next generation of cyber security professionals. In a fictional scenario, teams of four university students act as senior government advisors responding to an escalating cyber incident. During the two days of the competition, students are confronted with a challenging and evolving cyber security scenario. Based on the intelligence they are presented with, teams must provide a situation assessment & policy recommendations. 

The judging panels, that play the role of senior government decision-makers, consist of a range of cyber security experts across academia, industry and government. In the past, this has included incident management leads, policy advisers, and global CISOs. The competition is the only cross-discipline cyber security student competition of its kind in the UK. Through the competition, students have the opportunity to connect with future employers across the public & private sectors. They are supported by a plethora of organisations providing students with insight into the variety of roles available in cyber. 

UKC3 recognises the value of supporting this unique competition, as we work towards a shared goal of building a robust cyber security ecosystem across the UK, developing new ideas, initiatives, and the future generation of cyber professionals. Skills growth is one of UKC3’s key strategic pillars and continuing to partner with the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge is a natural choice towards achieving this. 

John Davies MBE, Vice Chair and Director of UKC3, emphasises “The competition is extremely diverse, not just in gender but ethnic background, disadvantaged and neurodiverse. These are values we can all get around and wish that the entire industry approached the nurturing of talent in the same holistic way this competition does. The opportunity to compete in multidisciplinary teams is a reflection of the real world and we are delighted to be involved.”

Robert Black, Director of the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, explains “too often people focus on solely the technical aspects of a cyber incident. However, time and time again, industry & government recognise the need for cyber security leaders who are capable of: dealing with complex situations; skilled in critical analysis, teamwork, effective briefing and many other human-centric skills as well as technological understanding. Our initiative aims to encourage these skills in our student competitors, opening up cyber security to a broad community of university students across the UK, supporting them to explore their potential for a fascinating & exciting career in cyber. As well as meeting with and being inspired by those people currently in leading cyber roles.”

Robert goes on to say, “We rely on the support of sponsors, government champions & partner organisations to help us raise awareness of this initiative and empower students to become the cyber security leaders of the future. It’s fantastic to be working with such a great community of supporters.”

If your organisation would like to support this challenge you can learn more here or contact info@ukcyber912.co.uk

 

I participated in the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge for three consecutive years as part of WickedCyber. My experience was immensely enjoyable and provided me with the opportunity to develop skills through scenarios that were not covered during my time at university.

The competition fuelled my interest in policy and strategy within cyberspace. Moreover, Cyber 9/12 opened doors to numerous incredible opportunities, greatly benefiting my early career in cybersecurity. It allowed me to network with professionals in the field and attend workshops that played a crucial role in developing the skills necessary for launching my career.

Jenny, Cyber Women Groups C.I.C.

 

I competed in the UK Cyber 9/12 Challenge for 3 years, and I can safely say the experience is one of a kind. Put into a time-critical scenario that requires you to think logically about protecting several stakeholders, I was able to use the knowledge I gained on my Cyber degree course and put this into a realistic exercise.

The scenarios are in-depth and detailed, specifically designed to put you outside your comfort zone and consider elements of a Cyber response that may be unfamiliar to you. All while testing your ability to communicate your thoughts clearly and precisely to an audience.

I would recommend this competition to any student studying any discipline at university, no matter their previous involvement in Cyber Security. It brings together a diverse range of students for 2 days of learning, networking, and celebrating success, whilst gaining valuable insights into a further career in the industry.

Sophie, Cyber Women Groups C.I.C.

 

I competed in the UK Cyber 9/12 Challenge for 3 years, and I can safely say the experience is one of a kind. Put into a time-critical scenario that requires you to think logically about protecting several stakeholders, I was able to use the knowledge I gained on my Cyber degree course and put this into a realistic exercise.

The scenarios are in-depth and detailed, specifically designed to put you outside your comfort zone and consider elements of a Cyber response that may be unfamiliar to you. All while testing your ability to communicate your thoughts clearly and precisely to an audience.

I would recommend this competition to any student studying any discipline at university, no matter their previous involvement in Cyber Security. It brings together a diverse range of students for 2 days of learning, networking, and celebrating success, whilst gaining valuable insights into a further career in the industry.

Jack, KPMG