UKC3 has announced that its four-year project to establish a national network of cyber security clusters is drawing to a close.
The national body has informed the 18 region and nation clusters with which it works that central operations will end as planned in March 2026.
The not‑for‑profit Community Interest Company was funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, and later the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to build regional cyber capacity in line with the National Cyber Strategy.
Over four years, UKC3 supported a 50% increase in the number of regional operations.
The UK cyber security landscape was fragmented when UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) launched in 2022. Twelve clusters were operating, but working largely in isolation and struggling to build the collaborative momentum needed to drive national-level growth.
Four years on, there are 18 clusters covering almost the whole of the UK. UKC3 has worked in partnership with them, helping to deliver more than 600 events and engaging more than 17,500 people nationwide.
A national network of businesses, universities, public sector organisations and individuals has come together to develop skills, drive innovation, and support more secure economic growth in cluster areas.
UKC3 will cease operations at the end of March. It leaves a stronger, more visible, and better equipped national network than that of four years ago. Its founding mission has been accomplished.
Independent evaluation has summarised the network development that has taken place. Clusters have grown in number, while maturing in delivery. Governance structures have become clearer, partnerships have developed further, and regional leaders have emerged as convenors of cyber activity.
Importantly, collaboration between regions has increased. What started as isolated efforts in different parts of the country has evolved into a connected national cyber community. Established systems and structures will ensure that clusters continue to share best practice, reduce duplication, and learn from one another after the closure of UKC3.
This development was supported by UKC3. As a central point of engagement, it helped raise the visibility of regional cyber activity and broke down silos between industry, academia and the public sector.
Simon Newman, UKC3 Chair, noted that the closure of UKC3 does not represent the end of collaboration across the cyber ecosystem.
“The relationships, trust and shared understanding built through UKC3 provide a strong foundation for continued cluster-to-cluster working, future initiatives and new forms of cooperation which add real value,” he said.
“Our Board and Officers are proud of the role that UKC3 has played in supporting this journey, but the real credit belongs to the clusters themselves – the leaders, managers, boards and community members who have delivered activity on the ground.
“Their work has helped create a stronger, more connected cyber ecosystem across the UK, and that impact will continue well beyond UKC3.”
The UK’s 18 cyber security clusters have the governance, partnerships, confidence and connections to drive their own agendas forward independently. They will also be able to tap into emerging opportunities from increasingly devolved authorities around the UK.
