ISC2 named National Ambassador by Cyber Resilience Centre Group

The National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG) has announced ISC2 as its new National Ambassador. ISC2, known as the world’s leading nonprofit membership organisation for cybersecurity professionals, brings its extensive expertise and resource to the role. The organisation is renowned for its Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, widely respected in the cybersecurity industry and acknowledged by governments and international bodies, including the UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre.

ISC2’s acceptance of the National Ambassador role will involve collaboration with police, the government, and other top-tier partners, such as Aviva, Baseel, CGI, Chainalysis, KPMG, Mastercard, Microsoft, NatWest Group, Resilience, SANS Institute, SAS, Sir Robert McAlpine, and The Very Group. The focus of this alliance will be on strengthening the cyber resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and expanding NCRCG’s Cyber PATH programme to develop a pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals.

ISC2 has a global presence with over 630,000 members, candidates, and associates. The organisation provides certification, training, and ongoing education for cybersecurity professionals. Its recently expanded One Million Certified in Cybersecurity programme aims to bridge the cybersecurity workforce gap, currently estimated at 73,000 individuals in the UK alone, by offering free entry-level certification training and exams.

Ed Parsons, Vice President of Global Markets and Member Relations at ISC2, commented on the organisation’s new role: "Becoming an Ambassador underscores our commitment to making a significant impact in the UK and emphasises the importance of public and private partnerships. Together with our partners, we aim to expand the nation's cybersecurity talent pipeline and reduce risks in the SME supply chain, thereby strengthening the UK's national cyber resilience. With the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals outweighing the current supply, it is crucial to establish new pathways into the field, particularly in these critical sectors, to ensure we are building a skilled workforce for the future. We are excited to collaborate with regional Cyber Resilience Centres to make a positive impact across the UK."

Detective Superintendent Ian Kirby, CEO at NCRCG, expressed his enthusiasm about ISC2 joining the National Ambassador programme: "We are so pleased to welcome ISC2 as a National Ambassador. ISC2 is known around the globe for its cybersecurity accreditations, which are valued across the industry as a marker of an individual’s cybersecurity knowledge and skill. I have no doubt that the organisation will be an invaluable addition to our cohort of National Ambassador partners and will bring a wealth of knowledge and new ideas, notably around how we can continue to best develop the cyber skills of the SME community."

ISC2's initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy to boost the UK's cybersecurity workforce by emphasising diversification and accessibility. The success of its efforts, including the enrolment of over 23,000 individuals in the UK in its CC certification programme to date, underscores the importance of creating new and diverse pathways into the cybersecurity industry and removing barriers to entry.

The NCRCG, established in 2021, aims to strengthen cyber resilience across the UK’s SME community through various initiatives, and its National Ambassador programme serves as a platform for large organisations to lead efforts against cybercrime. Key to NCRCG’s strategy are its nine cyber resilience centres, which provide affordable, high-quality cyber resilience services to local organisations, delivered by the Cyber PATH student team under the supervision of cybersecurity practitioners.