“It’s an honour to lead the group and help put Plymouth on the cyber security map” said Michael Dieroff, Managing Director of Plymouth based BluescreenIT (BIT), who has been selected as chairman of the Digital Policy Alliance’s Cyber Skills Group.

The group is directly responsible for helping UK government shape policy and strategy around the development of skills in the cyber security industry.

Michael has been instructed to create a formalised citywide Security Partnership and a Cyber Security Skills Pathway, in order to develop the security professionals of the future and offer affordable security services.

It has been widely reported that the UK and the rest of the world is currently facing a major shortage of cyber security professionals.

This has huge knock of effects for everyone including salary inflation, thus creating high premiums for security, all of which isolate SME’s from accessing professional security services.

Unqualified persons/businesses are now taking advantage of the shortage by offering substandard security services, leaving UK businesses at risk.

The Plymouth Security Skills Partnership will develop and pilot a working development model with the co-operation of employers (both public and private sector), security providers, schools, colleges, universities, law enforcement agencies and both central and local government. It will identify, attract, motivate, train (not “just” educate) and employ local talent in and around Plymouth.

A Cyber Security Skills Pathway (CSSP) has been created to identify the numerous different routes individuals may take to get into the sector, in order to create “home grown” security professionals.

The pilot has been designed to provide individuals in Plymouth with a clear path into the cyber security industry. Ranging from delivering to schools to helping ex-military personnel with the transition into the industry. The engagement program will do its utmost to identify cyber security talent

BIT’s Security Operations Centre already plays a key part in the cyber security skills pathway by helping produce qualified and experienced security professionals for the industry, whilst offering affordable security services to SME’s, public organisations and charities.

Please emailinfo@bluescreenit.co.uk or call 01752 724 000 for more information.