Cyber Security Skills Immediate Impact Fund

• The Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund (CSIIF) pilot identified seven initiatives that will be supported by funding from the National Cyber Security Programme. These initiatives will allow more people to benefit from fantastic cyber security training opportunities, no matter what their background.

• The CSIIF will be expanded, with a further opportunity for organisations to bid for funding, in autumn 2018.

Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund Event – Monday 24 September 2018

Building on the pilot run in March 2018, DCMS will be shortly rolling out an expanded Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund (CSIIF). The CSIIF has been designed to use Government investment to incentivise and encourage a broader range of industry-led activities to deliver an immediate boost to the cyber security profession.

To support this, DCMS will be hosting a London networking and launch event for the expanded CSIIF on Monday 24 September between 6pm and 8pm. The event will provide detailed information on the scheme and also help interested parties understand the bidding process. We are keen to ensure a range of stakeholders attend to discuss and encourage collaborative and innovative approaches to getting talent into the cyber security pipeline in the immediate term.

If you are interested in attending to finding out more about the fund or how to bid, please register here.

About the Fund

The Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund aims to quickly increase the diversity and numbers of those working in the UK’s booming cyber security sector. This is one of a range of initiatives designed in support of the National Cyber Security Strategy aim of developing a sustainable supply of home grown cyber security talent in the UK. The Fund works by making funding available to a range of organisations to help develop new, creative and innovative approaches, or to scale up existing initiatives, that help more adults get into the cyber security profession quickly. There is a strong focus on sustainability of the initiatives to ensure they continue to contribute towards a growing and vibrant cyber security training ecosystem.

The CSIIF pilot was launched in February 2018 and was open to initiatives delivered in England. Seven initiatives were identified for funding – more detail on each is set out below. The Fund will be opened again in autumn 2018. Further details will be added to this page in due course.

What initiatives are being sponsored as part of the CSIIF pilot?

There are seven initiatives receiving funding through the CSIIF pilot. These will be run by CompTIA, Immersive Labs, PGI Cyber Academy, the National Autistic Society (NAS), UK Cyber Security Forum Community Interest Company (CIC), Youth Fed and the Integrate Agency CIC.

Immersive Labs – The Neurodivergent Digital Cyber Academy

The Neurodivergent Digital Cyber Academy is designed to help neurodiverse candidates develop their cyber security skills through hands-on practical challenges. Immersive Labs have developed a browser based, practical learning environment that caters for those with a range of skills. Based on their skill level, participants will have access to apply for cyber jobs with employers who are signed up to the platform. For more information, please visit www.ndca.immersivelabs.online/register.

PGI Cyber Academy – Lifelong learning career paths for Women Cyber Security Professionals

This initiative is for candidates to undertake a professional conversion programme into entry-level cyber security jobs, focusing on both technical and non-technical disciplines, with paid employment commencing before training starts. This is being implemented by PGI’s certified Cyber Academy supported by recruitment specialists, Hawker Chase. For more information, please contact [email protected] or contact PGI Customer Services on 0207 887 2699.

CompTIA – Cyber Ready

The CompTIA Cyber Ready initiative is a six-month programme for candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds to upskill around existing work and caring requirements to become ready for a career in cyber security. Participants could potentially become certified as CompTIA Security+ and Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) professionals. CompTIA is a non-profit, international trade association. For more information, please visit https://certification.comptia.org/why-certify/cyber-ready or contact [email protected].

The Integrate Agency CIC – Cyber Safe Lambeth

This initiative is a Brixton-based programme which will provide lone parents in Lambeth with practical cyber security training, with the aim of creating a thriving community of cyber security expertise in Lambeth. The Integrate Agency CIC is a social enterprise that will partner with Battersea Power Station Foundation to deliver this programme. For more information, please visit www.integrateagency.co.uk or contact [email protected].

Youth Fed – Cyber Threat Hub Academy

Youth Fed is piloting a Cyber Security Operations Centre (SOC) based in Salford, which aims to provide real-world work experience for young adults interested in a career in cyber security. Youth Fed is a youth charity, who will be partnering with Raytheon UK and a number of other organisations to deliver the initiative. For more information, please visit www.youthfed.org.uk or contact [email protected].

National Autistic Society (NAS) – NAS Enterprise Cyber Security Programme

This initiative will develop an autism specific apprenticeship scheme for the cyber security industry, supporting candidates through both the cyber security training and preparation for employment. The NAS is a UK-based charity for autistic people and their families, who will deliver this training at the Anderson School and Enterprise Campus in Essex. For more information, please visit www.autism.org.uk or contact [email protected].

UK Cyber Security Forum CIC – Community Cyber Security Centre

This initiative has set up a Community Cyber Security Centre in Worcester, with the aim of training neurodiverse individuals in cyber security, while developing services to protect the internet access of vulnerable members of society. The UK Cyber Security Forum is a social enterprise representing sole traders and small and medium companies (SMEs) actively working in cyber security. For more information, please visit: www.ukcybersecurityforum.com/community-soc.

How do I find out more?

If you are interested in taking part in, or want to find out more about the pilot initiatives, please contact the providers directly with the contract information above. In advance of the roll-out of the CSIIF in the autumn, DCMS are also keen to engage with stakeholders from across the cyber ecosystem about the design of the fund. Please contact the DCMS team at [email protected] if you would like to be involved.