The UK is convening nations from across the globe, including the EU and US, for talks on how to effectively tackle cyber-threats amid the changing cybersecurity threat landscape.

Taking place at Wilton Park in West Sussex, the discussions come at a somewhat critical time, not least due to recent attacks impacting NHS services providers and the attempts to disrupt transport networks.

Over the next three days, countries including the EU member states, Canada, Japan, and international organisations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) are to discuss how global cybersecurity workforces can be strengthened, from agreeing ways to boost cyber-skills to developing new professional standards.

The UK government said that, in a bid to help with this effort, it would commission a new report with attendees set to agree the key areas it’ll focus on. The recommendations are expected to be published by the end of the year, and “will advance international collaboration to improve cyber skills and face down cyber-crime.”

To mark the opening of the event, the UK has published the latest figures from its Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market Survey. The findings show that, while the estimated annual shortfall for jobs in the UK’s cyberforce reduced from 11,200 last year to just 3,500 this year, 44% of UK businesses don’t have the fundamental skills to protect themselves.

The government has also announced a slew of measures to bridge this cyber-skills gap. This includes launching a new £1.3 million scheme to deliver financial support, albeit only in England and Northern Ireland, to fund initiatives for helping address the cyber-skills needs of individual areas.

Additional actions include teaming up with non-profit global cybersecurity standards organisation CREST International to launch the CREST Cyber Accelerated Maturity Programme (CAMP) for cybersecurity mentorship, and launching a competition to find the “best young cyber talent to represent the UK on the international stage.”

The government has also highlighted that it’s bringing forward the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This will strengthen the UK’s cyber defences, and ensure that critical infrastructure and the digital services that companies rely on are secure, the government said.

It follows the government’s decision last week to designate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), meaning the data centre sector can now expect greater government support in recovering from and anticipating critical incidents.

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“The UK needs a significant improvement in its cyber defences after the previous government failed to strengthen our cyber laws – we’re fixing that,” said cybersecurity minister, Feryal Clark, today.

“Later this year, we’ll bring forward new measures to better protect the nation from cyber-crime and our new regional skills programme will support the next generation of cyber talent and innovators.

“But this is a shared challenge, which is why we’re bringing together global allies to discuss and agree steps to keep us safe online, improve cyber skills and protect our economy and public services.”

It’s hoped that the current convening of global nations to discuss and navigate cybersecurity effectively will become a regular fixture, with other nations expected to host going forward.