Three universities gain cyber security recognition

Three more UK universities have been recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre for promoting cyber security education on campus.

The successful institutions, De Montfort University and Royal Holloway, University of London (Gold recognition) and Kingston University London (Silver recognition) are the latest to be named Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Education by the NCSC.

The centre states that the universities demonstrated a range of activities that promote cyber skills, including offering NCSC-certified degrees, training opportunities for staff and initiatives to engage their communities such as cyber taster days for Scouts and Guides.

This autumn, as young people start applying to higher education institutions, the NCSC is encouraging prospective students to consider whether their choices will help to develop their cyber skills, as they remain in high demand across the UK jobs market.

Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said: “It’s fantastic to see another three universities being recognised for the excellent cyber security education they provide to their institutions and more widely to local communities.

“Being recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education is a significant achievement, which reflects real commitment to promoting cyber skills, and we strongly recommend other institutions apply in the future. Cyber skills are in high demand among UK employers, and so we really encourage prospective students looking at their university choices to consider how top cyber teaching might help their future careers.”

Since its launch last year, the ACE-CSE programme, led jointly by the NCSC and the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport, has recognised 12 UK universities with Gold and Silver awards, with at least one institution in each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.