The National Audit Office has published an update for the Committee of Public Accounts on the Government’s National Cyber Security Programme.
Responding to the report, Hugh Boyes from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said: “While the Government’s investment in this area has increased the capability for the public sector, there is still much to be done to strengthen UK industry.
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“The report highlights industry concerns about the confusing range of advice available and the lack of cybersecurity skills. These are valid concerns that need to be addressed.
“The current cyber security skills initiatives have been focused on providing the skills for individuals employed in cybersecurity roles. This is a short term solution that does not address the need to improve the security awareness and skills of everyone involved in the design, production and use of software-based systems. This requires significant investment in education and training at all levels in the UK to ensure that software is trustworthy and those involved in its development and maintenance are applying software engineering best practices.
“It is important to note that the recent interest in cybersecurity and cars highlights how this is an issue that extends far beyond our desktop and tablet computers.”
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Industry demand for the cyber security skills needed to address cyber car crime, not to mention other security issues, is growing all the time. Recently, a free online course designed to inspire the next generation of cyber-security professionals, supported by the Government, was launched.
The MOOC – which stands for Massive Open Online Course – was developed by Open University with the support of IET. It is the first of its kind anywhere in the world to receive government support. For more information, visit: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-cyber-security.
About IET
The IET is one of the world’s largest engineering institutions with nearly 160,000 members in 127 countries. It is also the most multidisciplinary – to reflect the increasingly diverse nature of engineering in the 21st century. Energy, transport, manufacturing, information and communications, and the built environment: the IET covers them all.
For over 140 years the IET has been inspiring, informing and influencing the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society. With the complexity and diversity of the engineering world the role of the IET is more relevant now than it ever has been.
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