An Update from the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

There is lots of activity around developing the cyber ecosystem for the Midlands so you are sure to find something useful below:

DCMS has a cyber newsletter to which you can subscribe

Cyber Essentials Survey

The Government is working to make the UK the safest place to live and work online. It is doing this through a number of actions ranging from regulation (NIS, GDPR) to the provision of guidance (NCSC Small Business Guide, 10 Steps to Cyber Security).

Government-backed assurance schemes, such as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus have played an important role in driving minimum standards and increasing cyber resilience across the economy. Under Pillar 2 of the National Cyber Strategy 2022, the Government commits to continuing “to promote take-up of accreditations and standards such as the Cyber Essentials certification” by “developing commercial offerings around Cyber Essentials which will make it easier for small businesses to access basic advice.”

To deliver against this commitment, it would be useful to get a better understanding of how organisations engage with Cyber Essentials to improve their cyber resilience and the extent to which it is used as a tool to manage third party cyber security risk. If you could take a few minutes to fill out this short questionnaire it would be highly useful as we look to raise awareness, ensure accessibility and increase appropriate market driven demand for Cyber Essentials across the economy.

Secure Connected Places Survey

DCMS’ Secure Connected Places team have created a survey which aims to identify the key trends and approaches to cyber security and risk management across the UK’s connected places. It asks questions relating to common use cases and desired future support.

We are reaching out to stakeholders who are currently deploying this technology – including but not limited to IT and innovation teams at universities, transport authorities and sports and cultural venues.  See the survey here.

Cyber Sector Analysis Report Survey

DCMS has commissioned Ipsos, an independent research organisation, to carry out an important survey about the cyber security sector. They are inviting organisations which offer cyber security products and services to take part. Over 100 cyber businesses have already done so. Taking part will help to influence government policy and support in the area of cyber security. Participants can take part by phone or online.

Ipsos is working with Perspective Economics and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen’s University Belfast on this important study, which is also endorsed by techUK and UKC3. The study will be published on GOV.UK.

Find out more, including last year’s report and Ipsos’ privacy notice, on the GOV.UK website.

Alternatively, you can email Ipsos at DCMScybersector@ipsosresearch.com.

Launch of the UK Digital Strategy

As part of London Tech Week in June the government published a new Digital Strategy. The strategy sets out the UK’s vision for harnessing digital transformation, accelerating growth, and building a more inclusive, competitive and innovative digital economy. This is part of the government’s drive to strengthen the UK’s position as a science and technology superpower.  Cyber security is at the heart of the strategy, which acknowledges that resilient businesses, products and services are foundational to a strong and secure digital economy.

Cyber Exchange

DCMA and techUK have developed Cyber Exchange a platform to help organisations discover innovative cyber companies, support investments and highlight key opportunities across the UK sector

NCSC for start ups

NCSC for start ups is a cyber accelerator which is flexible and tailored to support NCSC’s mission to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

Events to note:

Development for Security in Aerospace and Defence

East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre: https://www.emcrc.co.uk/