NCSC Annual Review 2021
Pages
Page 37 of 44
Ecosystem
How the NCSC is strengthening and growing the UK’s cyber security ecosystem
While the NCSC works to confront and respond to threats, and bolsters the UK’s resilience against them, the organisation has a key role in strengthening the country’s thriving cyber security ecosystem. It is dedicated to helping the sector develop and grow into a skilled, innovative, diverse and confident force for good, able to defend and further the country’s interests.
We are working with the UK’s thriving cyber security industry to explore new ideas that will make the country the safest place to live and work online. The aim of our new initiative for startups, is to support those with pioneering ideas which in turn, encourages new skills, jobs and growth.
Chris Ensor, NCSC’s Deputy Director for Cyber Growth
This chapter sets out how the NCSC is a central part of this system. From nurturing young talent, to creating further education opportunities, to supporting cyber startups, to testing and certifying standards in the security profession, to creating more diversity, to driving growth and innovation, to sharing best practice with the industry, the NCSC is making a positive, real-world impact to everyone’s lives.
UK’s cyber security sector at a glance
The UK has a strong and growing cyber security sector worth £8.9bn (up 7% on last year) with 1,483 companies (up 21%) and 46,683 people employed (up 9%). The UK is also the fourth-largest security exporter in the world and cyberspace is an important and expanding part of that sector.
The unprecedented acceleration of digital transformation during the Covid-19 pandemic saw nearly £1billion of investment pumped into the UK’s cyber security sector, with 4,000 new full-time jobs created.