Businesses must tackle cyber-crime by embracing new Government plans to boost cyber skills, says the IET

Businesses must tackle cyber-crime by embracing new Government plans to boost cyber skills, says the IET.

The Government has today announced plans, including a new higher level apprenticeship and teaching grants, to meet the increasing demand for cyber security skills (Cyber Security Skills: Business Perspectives and Government’s Next Steps).

Hugh Boyes from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) said: “With increasing threats to systems and new vulnerabilities emerging daily, there is an urgent need to develop a pipeline of qualified and experienced cyber security professionals to safeguard our systems and infrastructure in the future.

“Research by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has highlighted that a significant lack of skilled workers is hampering the UK's fight against cyber-crime. These measures announced by the Government will help to fill the shortage of skills in this important area – and put us in a stronger position to combat cyber-crime in the years ahead. The challenge now is to make sure businesses are aware of these Government initiatives, and start to view securing cyber security skills within their businesses as a priority.”

An IET survey, carried out in 2013, of 250 SMEs to gain insight into current cyber trends found that only half were aware of the Government’s efforts to combat cyber security. Of the 250 companies surveyed: only 14 per cent said cyber security threats were the highest priority and already felt they had sufficient skills and resources in place to manage the threat. Only 30 per cent felt they had sufficient protection against potential threats to software embedded in their products.
 

Notes to editors:

§  Interview opportunities are available with IET spokespeople from a broad range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and women in engineering.

§  The IET is one of the world’s largest organisations for engineers and technicians.  We have nearly 160,000 members in 127 countries around the world.

§  The IET is working to engineer a better world. We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society.

§  The IET is the Professional Home for Life® for engineers and technicians, and a trusted source of Essential Engineering Intelligence® and thought leadership.

§  For more information, visit http://www.theiet.org