New UK qualification in cyber security introduced

A new qualification designed for those who wish to learn the fundamentals of cyber security is now available.

The course has been given the thumbs up by education institutions, government and industry.

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in cyber security is the first of its kind in the UK. Its level three status is the equivalent to an AS Level. Anyone can apply for the qualification and it can be taken independently by registering with Cyber Security Challenge UK.

Cyber Security Challenge UK CEO, Stephanie Daman, said:

“You don’t need to be a maths genius or ‘computer geek’ to find a role; cyber security encompasses such a wide range of areas – from risk management to biometrics to behaviour analytics. We, therefore, need to attract an equally wide range of students from all walks of life, to fill these jobs.”

The qualification adheres to the National Occupation Standards (NOS) for cyber security. It is aiming to achieve relevance in the industry while also offering a diverse range of topics, as well as acting as a first step for those looking to ply their trade in the industry. Cyber Security Challenge UK designed the course with specialists in cyber education, which includes (ISC)2 – the largest security professional body in the world.

The qualification is certainly good news for those who wish to become security professionals. However, it will also benefit businesses in that they will see more trained individuals applying for cyber security jobs. This should, in turn, make UK commerce more resistant to the increasing number of threats in the cybersphere.