Credit: PA

A £700,000 fund has been launched to grow the cybersecurity sector across the UK.

The funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will go to the UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3), a network of 20 clusters of cyber businesses, employers and local organisations around the UK.

UKC3 was established to help cybersecurity businesses build partnerships and programmes that break down barriers to growth, such as skills gaps and a lack of business support, and provide a focal point for engagement within the industry. 

The new investment will help to provide opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing, as well as supporting skills development and innovation. 

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Announcing the funding, minister for digital infrastructure Matt Warman said: “Our cybersecurity sector is already worth £8.9 billion and we’re working tirelessly to take its magnificent growth to the next level. Our new UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration will help tackle the barriers to growth, boost people’s digital skills and give firms a new route to develop their business acumen.”

UKC3 chair Richard Yorke said: “The UK’s thriving cyber sector is recognised as world leading and through greater collaboration, innovation and skills development we have a real opportunity to deliver growth that benefits businesses and individual citizens across the UK. This is an exciting and pivotal time for the cyber industry and we encourage organisations to engage with us to drive growth in the sector.”

Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart added: “Scotland is home to over 100 cyber security companies as well as an even larger base of cyber professionals working in the industry and academia. This UK Government funding will further strengthen Scotland’s thriving cyber sector and digital economy, helping businesses across the country to collaborate and develop people’s skills while stimulating business growth.”