Government Selects Team for Cyber Retraining Scheme

A psychiatrist and ex-bartender, along with 53 other talented amateurs, have been selected for a new generation of IT security experts as part of a new government scheme – the SANS Institute Cyber Retraining Academy.

The 10-week course aims to fast-track the group into the IT security industry. Students will be taught in-demand IT security skills under the government plan to assist businesses in defending themselves against cyber crime.

The candidates will be taught by industry practitioners. Their progress will be tracked by employers via a web-based portal, and potential employers will be able to recruit any of the students they feel will be a fit with their company within 10 weeks. Job vacancies the candidates could potentially fill include that of a security architect and digital forensics jobs.

Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, said:

“I congratulate all the students selected following an extremely competitive application process and encourage them to make the most of this fantastic opportunity.

“They will bring a diverse range of skills and experiences from different walks of life to the fight against cyber threats and attacks.”

The group was formed from 4,000 applicants from all over the UK, and approximately 50% of them have no experience in IT.

Each candidate underwent a selection process that included two assessments, along with telephone and in-person interviews.

The course, taught by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in conjunction with cyber security training company SANS Institute, falls under the government’s National Cyber Security Strategy and was developed to combat cyber security threats to UK businesses.