Cybersecurity professionals in the UK will be able to apply for a new chartered professional standard after the UK Cyber Security Council launched a pilot scheme. The aim is to give professionals working in the sector status in line with accountants, lawyers and engineers.
The two specialisms announced in the pilot scheme are Cyber Security Governance and Risk Management, and Secure System Architecture and Design. The Council is linking with two membership bodies – The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) and non-profit training outfit The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2.
Seal of approval
The Council said: “The professional registrations… will present those working in the profession with an independent seal of approval and recognition of their competence, which will serve as a key differentiator between candidates with similar qualifications, experiences and backgrounds.”
Three professional titles, Associate, Principal and Chartered are to be established, with Chartered the highest professional standard. The Council was recently granted Royal Charter status by the Privy Council, which means it will be the only body able to award the status of Chartered Cyber Security Professional.
The move comes after consultation between the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and industry stakeholders as part of the government’s efforts to develop a world class cyber sector.
Workforce shortage
Those backing the scheme hope it will not only introduce clarity for employers looking to judge levels of skill and competency, but also help to address a workforce shortage estimated globally at 3.4 million by introducing a clear career route.
The announcement has been broadly welcomed, but there are concerns about whether the proposed standard scheme would be able to fill all the skills gaps in a complex sector, and about the value of a national standard in a global environment.