UK Cyber Security Council to oversee Cyber Certified Professional scheme

Responsibility for running the cyber security industry’s Cyber Certified Professional scheme has transferred from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to the UK Cyber Security Council.

The Council, which has been formed to act as the voice of the cyber security industry and has a key focus on creating aligned standards and qualifications for the sector, will now conduct as six-month review of the CCP scheme.

As part of the review, the Council will be running a pilot scheme of new chartered standards for the industry. The pilot scheme for new standards will be run for the Risk Management and Security Architecture specialisms.

The Ministry of Defence, NCSC and Department for Work and Pensions will be participating in the pilot scheme, along with existing qualification providers BCS, APMG and CIISec.

The Council is also inviting expressions of interest from organisations and businesses across the sector that would like to be involved in the pilot scheme. Those taking part will have the opportunity to help shape the development of the new chartered standards and qualifications the Council will be introducing.

While the Council reviews the existing CCP scheme, all pre-existing and new qualifications awarded through it will continue to be recognised. It is the joint aim of the Council and the NCSC to make the transfer of those holding qualifications into the new chartered standards the Council is developing as simple as possible.

Simon Hepburn, Chief Executive of the UK Cyber Security Council said: “Here at the Council, we are focussed on creating a thriving cyber security industry to ensure the UK can remain a world leader in this strategically important sector.

“Creating clear and robust chartered standards that are universally recognised both across the industry and by those looking to enter it, is crucial to this goal and vital if we are to plug the industry’s skills gap.

“That is why we are taking on oversight of the Cyber Certified Professional scheme. We will be reviewing how best to create new chartered standards that can integrate easily with existing qualifications and help provide a clear accreditation framework for the future.

“I truly believe this is a vitally important step for our industry and I would like to invite businesses and organisations who would like to be involved in our upcoming pilot scheme to put themselves forward.”

To help oversee and scrutinise the move towards introducing new chartered standards and qualifications for the industry, the UK Cyber Security Council and the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) will be creating a Joint Transition Governance Board.

The CyBOK/UK Cyber Security Council Joint Transition Governance Board, chaired by Sian John, Director of Security Business Development and Strategic Growth at Microsoft, will steer the integration of new chartered standards with existing accreditations. Ollie Whitehouse, Chief Technology Officer at NCC Group, will advise the Board in an independent capacity.

The upcoming pilot scheme for chartered accreditation is set to begin on 1 June. Businesses and organisations that are interested in taking part are invited to express their interest by mid-June.