29 August 2018

A wide ranging group of industry organisations have formed an alliance to advance the development of the UK’s cyber security profession. 

The alliance brings together a number of established councils, chartered professional and certification bodies, academics and industry representative groups.

Founding members include several organisations operating under a Royal Charter who are able to grant chartered status within their discipline. 

Their overall aim is to provide clarity around the skills, competences and career pathways within the cyber security profession.

The initial objective is to support the National Cyber Security Strategy and provide a focal point for advising policy, including the intent to recognise professionals through chartered status.

Alliance members offer a range of established expertise and disciplines, and each is said to have a leadership role in underpinning UK resilience in the digital environment.

They currently include: BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT; Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development; the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences; CREST; the Engineering Council; IAAC; The Institution of Analysts and Programmers; IET; Institute of Information Security Professionals; Institute of Measurement and Control; ISACA; (ISC)2; techUK; the Security Institute; and The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists.

Among some of the common objectives, members have agreed to provide a forum for benchmarking and shared standards for cyber security professional excellence; enable the development of the specialist skills and capabilities that will allow the UK to keep pace with rapidly evolving cyber risks; and enable a self-sustaining pipeline of talent providing the skills to meet our national needs.