The UK Government is set to host a series of talks with global leaders, including representatives from the US and EU, to address the growing threat of cyberattacks and discuss strategies to improve cybersecurity skills across nations.
The three-day event will focus on strengthening international cooperation and exploring new approaches to cybersecurity training and education.
As part of this initiative, the UK government has announced plans to fund new cyber skills training programmes aimed at universities, local councils, and businesses. This effort is designed to equip the workforce with the skills needed to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and ensure organisations can continue to innovate while maintaining robust security measures.
Building a Cyber-Resilient Workforce
In response to the rising cyber threat, Alexia Pedersen, Senior Vice President International at O’Reilly, emphasised the need for British businesses to focus on building a cyber-resilient workforce. She noted that the current economic climate presents a disruptive challenge for businesses, and without adequate cybersecurity personnel, companies may struggle to innovate while facing a growing number of cyber risks.
“Employers have an urgent responsibility to prepare employees for the future of more sophisticated cyber threats through education – not just technical staff but across their entire organisation,” Pedersen stated. She advocates for a broader approach to cybersecurity training, suggesting that companies should make learning accessible across all departments, enabling employees to gain cybersecurity skills in a flexible and efficient manner.
Pedersen highlighted the importance of creating learning opportunities that are accessible anytime, anywhere, and on any device, allowing employees to learn at their own pace. She also stressed the value of “in the flow of work” learning, which enables employees to quickly acquire new knowledge, apply it in real-time, and then return to their tasks. This approach, she argues, is essential for building a skilled workforce that can keep pace with the evolving cyber threat landscape.
“Democratising cybersecurity-focused learning will be key to creating a highly skilled workforce that keeps British businesses at the forefront of their industries globally, while remaining protected from the volume and sophistication of tomorrow’s cyber threats,” Pedersen added.
Cybersecurity Skills Shortage in UK Tech Companies
Recent research from O’Reilly underscores the importance of addressing the cybersecurity skills gap in British tech companies. The study found that nearly a quarter (24%) of HR leaders believe that cybersecurity is the most lacking digital skill within their organisations. Despite this, many companies are not investing enough in recruitment and learning and development (L&D) to address these gaps.
According to the research, most UK tech companies plan to spend over £25,000 in the next year to fill critical roles, with cybersecurity being a top priority. However, while 90% of companies plan to increase spending on tech-focused L&D due to the ongoing economic downturn, this spending does not align with the specific skills shortages in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML).
O’Reilly’s findings also reveal that UK tech companies are more willing to spend on recruitment than on upskilling existing employees. For example, while the average UK cybersecurity salary is around £63,500, the sector will spend an average of £33,676 on recruitment in the next year, compared to £31,651 on L&D. This imbalance suggests that while companies recognise the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals, they may not be placing enough emphasis on developing the talent they already have.
By investing more in upskilling current employees, British businesses can better prepare for future cyber threats, reducing their reliance on external hires and ensuring a more resilient workforce capable of sustaining innovation while maintaining strong cybersecurity defences.
