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Sector Outlook
What do Sony Pictures, Inland Revenue, AOL, JP Morgan Chase and Ebay
have in common? They have all experienced major security breaches of their
data. Cyber security is a major concern to banks, business and governments
as they seek to protect personal data, intelligence information and computer
networks from hackers, espionage and cyber criminals. Cyber Crime costs
UK business around £34 billion in security costs and lost revenue. The UK
government Cyber Security Strategy of defend, deter and develop will see the
state spend £1.9 billion in the next five years to 2021 to keep us all safe online.
The industry in the UK is currently wor th £2.8 billion and is overseen by
GCHQ which provides technical authority on cyber security. The industry is
growing rapidly with 20% of UK cyber business coming from abroad. The
biggest sales come from the defence sectors followed by government and
financial institutions which have the most demanding and complex security
needs. New areas of growth in the industry are in cloud security and with
medium to small businesses. The UK has a world class selection of knowledge
and companies in the cyber security sector, such as: Deloitte, KPMG, QinetiQ,
IBM, BAE Systems and Sophos.
The range of jobs available is varied, from forensic computer investigation through
to training in online safety. As a result, employers are looking for people from
technical and non-technical backgrounds, who can show they have the potential
to develop. Key qualities needed for those interested in the field include the ability
to think outside of the box, being a natural cynic, and passion for complex problem
solving. With 60% of business stating that demand for recruits is increasing,
there is no better time to enter this sector. Degree entrants usually are qualified in
IT, Cyber Security of Forensics and to increase your chances there are also MSc
programmes available in Computer and Forensic Security. If you do not have a
degree, employers may offer higher apprenticeships in cyber security allowing
you valuable training and experience in the industry whilst getting paid. The
key hubs for security careers include London, M4 corridor, Severn Valley and
Hampshire although GCHQ are looking to develop 8 security clusters nationally.
Cyber Security