Cyber Security in the UK

The government is implementing new regulations on cyber security in the UK. These regulations will be among the most stringent in the world and are set to come into force in October 2022. A public consultation was recently completed and the government responded by setting out changes to draft regulations and a code of practice. The government is working with the National cyber security UK Centre to develop these regulations.

Courses

There are several cyber security courses in the UK, which can give you the skills and knowledge you need to secure your company's data and network. Some of these courses are short and intensive, while others are more in-depth and require an advanced degree. For example, the Cyber Security Short Course offered by the University of York covers general best internet provider London, network and cloud security, cryptography and forensics, risk management, and the development of high-assurance systems.

Graduates who complete an undergraduate course in cyber security will need to have studied mathematics, computer science, or science/technology-based subjects. Graduates with a Master's degree in Cyber Security will typically have a degree with second-class honors or above in Computer Science or Business Computing. Students who do not have the required academic qualifications but have some relevant work experience in a business establishment will also be considered for these courses.

Scope

If you have a keen interest in cyber security, you can pursue a degree in this field in the UK. There are many positions in this field, which require technical skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail. You can work as a cyber security specialist, a vulnerability tester, or an IT auditor. You could also take on a managerial role in the industry. Regardless of your background, a career in cyber security in the UK can be rewarding.

In the UK, there is a greater demand for cyber security professionals than in many other countries, thanks to the country's growing reliance on data. There are currently around 2.93 million cybersecurity professionals needed worldwide, and the UK Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that the demand will increase by nearly 28% by 2026. Cybersecurity professionals are needed in the finance and healthcare sectors, as well as in educational institutions.

Entry requirements

If you want to pursue a master's degree in cyber security in the UK, you must possess a certain skill set. One of the most important requirements is a good IELTS score. However, some universities waive this requirement in some cases. They take into account the student's 10+2 English language scores. Additionally, non-native English speakers may be able to apply to UK universities without IELTS if they have achieved at least a 60% score on their 10+2 English language exam.

A master's degree in cyber security gives you a thorough knowledge of the technology and security systems. It also helps you gain experience dealing with real-world cybersecurity problems. Students also get to benefit from world-leading research from the Security Lancaster Academic Centre of Excellence, which is accredited by the NCSC and EPSRC.

Cost

The cost of cybercrime varies, but it's estimated that it could cost as much as the world's economy in 2025. In the UK, more than half of businesses employ a person solely dedicated to cybersecurity. Approximately 12% of large companies employ a full-time information security manager, which can be expensive.

According to government guidance, organizations must follow 10 basic steps to protect themselves. Of these steps, most businesses and charities have taken at least five of them. The cost of cyber attacks varies according to the complexity and size of an attack, but a third of businesses and charities reported that they were affected by an attack at some point in the past year. Almost two-thirds of organizations report that they are updating their cyber security measures quarterly or more frequently.

According to the study, UK firms are committed to investing more in cyber security. The survey respondents are composed of 1,243 firms in various business sizes. These include micro firms with one to nine employees, small firms with between 10 to 49 employees, medium-sized firms with 50 to 250 employees, and large companies with 250+ employees.

Job Outlook

There is an increase in the demand for people with cyber security skills in the UK. The cyber security workforce is expected to reach 301,000 by 2021, but there is a shortfall of 33,000 people. This demand has been confirmed by other metrics, such as a recent survey indicating that more than half of all businesses in the cyber sector have sought to fill a cyber role in the last year. During that time, the average number of vacancies per firm increased from five to six.