government designates £8 million for training cybersecurity professionals
The UK government has announced plans to establish two Centres of Doctoral Training (CDT) focusing on cyber security expertise, as part of a joint effort between the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, GCHQ, and the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (a division of the Cabinet Office).
The initiative, which is intended to discover, develop, and nurture the UK's next generation of doctoral-level cyber security experts, was announced shortly after a report from the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. The report highlighted the need for the UK to strengthen its cyber security capabilities in order to protect its national interests.
The Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) will be a key component of achieving the skills blend the UK needs in cyber security. Each doctoral course in the CDT is expected to last four years, and up to £8 million of funding will be available for a period of seven years.
The universities and skills minister, David Willetts, stated that it is vital to maintain the UK's reputation for world-class cyber security capability. He also encouraged novel responses to the call for bids that reflect the innovation of the discipline as a whole.
The Centres of Doctoral Training in Cyber Security are intended to further enhance the UK's world-class cyber security academic and research community. The Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude, stated that the Centres will play a crucial role in helping the UK government take a more aggressive stance in cyber space, as advised in the report.
At present, the search results do not contain information on how many universities have applied so far to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training for cybersecurity experts. Universities are invited to bid for the opportunity to host one of the two CDTs.
The Centres of Doctoral Training in Cyber Security are a key part of the UK's strategy to address the growing threat of cyber attacks. By investing in the next generation of cyber security experts, the UK aims to protect its national security and maintain its position as a global leader in cyber security research and innovation.
