Despite the importance of our digital lives, the UK needs more cybersecurity professionals to ensure safe digital operations.

The observations were made as part of CyberScotland Week, during which the the UK Cyber Security Council and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) held two events. These discussed the need for the UK to establish and embed industry-wide standards, ethics, and pathways for cyber professionals by 2025.

In a digitally connected world, cybersecurity has become essential. From homes with millions of digitally connected and wireless devices, to critical infrastructure operations, the potential risk of cyberattacks has increased in recent years.

However, the events warned that the UK faces several areas that make it difficult to live and work safely online.

Currently, the cybersecurity industry faces a significant skills gap, with an annual shortfall of 10,000 practitioners. In addition, half of businesses in the UK have a skills gap in cybersecurity.

There is also a need for more diversification within the sector – only 16% of cybersecurity professionals are women and 17% are from ethnic minorities.

The UK Cyber Security Council’s CEO, Simon Hepburn, said: “With record levels of investment last year, the UK’s £10 billion cybersecurity sector has the potential to create thousands of highly skilled and rewarding careers for people across Scotland.

“We encourage those working in the sector to engage with DCMS’ ongoing consultation, as the government seeks to address new measures to boost British businesses’ cybersecurity after recent high-profile attacks.

“The council is encouraging those who already work in, or are interested in a career in, cybersecurity to engage in these forums. They will help us to co-design with the industry, developing and aligning both standards and career paths for a vital sector, which will increasingly impact all our lives in the years to come.”

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According to the statistics quoted by UK Cyber Security Council, the number of active businesses specialising in the cybersecurity sector across Scotland sits at 323 – employing an estimated 7% of the UK’s cybersecurity workforce.

Government statistics added that the average advertised salaries in 2021 for core cybersecurity professionals in Scotland was £56,800 – significantly higher than the average £31,605 full time salary.

According to a report from the DCMS from February, the total number of people working in cybersecurity across the entire UK rose to 52,700 last year, a 13% increase, equivalent to adding 6,000 new jobs.

Cyber Integrator at ScotlandIS Cyber Eamonn Kean said: “The growing importance this sector will play in our economic and national security really can’t be overestimated, especially with the recent events in Eastern Europe.

“We want to see cross-sector collaboration across the ecosystem – from the classroom to the boardroom, and working alongside partners like the UK Cyber Security Council and the DCMS – to bolster Scotland’s cyber resilience, skills and capabilities, and effectively support the sector on a UK level.

“To achieve on that, we’ll need greater individual and organisational resilience. That’s why events like this are so important, and it is why we’re working with MSPs and others to encourage companies to better protect themselves and others across the supply chain.”

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