UK CYBER SECURITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES THE INDUSTRY’S FIRST CHARTERED PROFESSIONALS

The Council’s Cyber Security Governance and Risk Management and Secure System Architecture and Design specialisms recognise the first Chartered Cyber Security Professionals.

The UK Cyber Security Council has ushered in the country’s first cohort of chartered cyber security practitioners following the launch of its first pilot schemes last year, with an awards ceremony taking place yesterday in London.

The event was held in partnership with NCSC, the Council and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Over 100 practitioners who completed the pilot schemes are now registered with the Council at either Chartered, Principal or Associate level.

Becoming chartered is the most prestigious professional registration title recognised by the Council, which itself was granted a royal chartership in 2021.

As part of its mission to create a world class cyber security sector here in the UK, the Council has introduced a new professional standard for the industry.

These titles map onto recognised specialisms across the industry, with Cyber Security Governance and Risk and Secure System Architecture and Design the first two such specialisms to offer pilot schemes aligned to the Council’s professional standard.

CEO of the UK Cyber Security Council, Professor Simon Hepburn, said: “I’d like to congratulate our first cohort of chartered cyber security professionals. This independent seal of approval and recognition of their competence will serve as a key differentiator between candidates with similar qualifications, experiences and backgrounds. 

“The Council is committed to working with stakeholders across the industry, with a joint aim of creating a world class cyber sector right here in the UK. Our continued work piloting specialisms to bring the industry in line with other sectors and regulating qualifications in the space is vital in our aim to help the UK government make this country the safest place to live and work online.’

Following the successful delivery of these pilots, both specialisms will open for applications to the wider sector following an Awards Ceremony that took place on 5th October.

Pilot programmes in other specialisms including Security Testing and Audit and Assurance and Cyber Security Generalist are also currently in progress and will eventually will see chartership of all the Council’s specialisms piloted, and open to applications.

The UK Cyber Security Council is the owner of the Royal Charter and the only body in the world that can charter individuals to award the status of 'Chartered Cyber Security Professional’ and this first group of registered professionals represents a major step in bringing cyber in line with other established professions, such as accountancy, engineering and legal.

For more information about chartership applications head to the UK Cyber Security website and a full list of the pilot schemes available can be found here: https://www.ukcybersecuritycouncil.org.uk/professional-standards/professional-registration-roadmap/