Cyber security jobs news roundup: May 2023

Keep up-to-date with some of the biggest stories in the world of cyber security in our monthly roundup.

We’re rounding up some of the biggest cyber security stories of the past few weeks. In May, CompTIA announced plans for new A+ learning materials, general interest in cyber security jobs peaked, the Scottish tech sector showed very positive hiring trends and the NCSC announced a new training package to support supply chains.

CompTIA extends A+ brand to support new careers

CompTIA has announced plans to extend its A+ brand, with new resources set to help aspiring tech professionals achieve success in their careers. With its array of technical learning and certificate programmes, the CompTIA A+_ series is all about key knowledge domains and in-demand roles.

New modular programmes include cyber, network, cloud, server, data and coding. These will provide learners with more flexibility to develop the depth and breadth of their skills, whilst expanding accessibility and encouraging more people to head down the tech career pathway.

The first programmes in the A+_ series are set to go live in October 2023, delivered on Coursera. These self-paced courses are filled with engaging videos, assessments and hands-on labs.

Interest in cyber security careers reaches new heights

Interest in cyber security and jobs in the industry has hit an all-time high, a recent analysis of Google trends has revealed. The global search volume indicates that a significant uptick in attention towards digital security and employment opportunities can be seen this year.

A likely cause for the popularity is the ever-increasing frequency of cyber attacks, influential industry reports or simply the favourable job market for cyber security professionals. 

Attractive pay and varied work make the sector one of the most lucrative, whilst the continuous evolution of technology and the need for protection against threats mean it’s an area that constantly requires new talent.

The Scottish tech sector is growing

83 per cent of tech firms in Scotland expect to increase staff numbers this year, according to an annual industry survey by ScotlandIS. This represents a seven per cent increase from the previous year and no company surveyed had any plans to cut staff.

Moreover, the report indicated that the greatest area for job opportunities would be in cyber security, with data analytics and general software skills also appearing to be in demand. This includes SQL, Python and JavaScript, which all ranked highly for desired technical skills.

Karen Meechan, CEO of ScotlandIS, added: “A very positive outcome for this year’s survey is the way our tech sector has stabilised. Not only are more companies recording seven-figure turnovers, but more and more are also seeking to export their services outside of Scotland.”

New NCSC cyber training package to support supply chains

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published two new e-learning packages to help organisations manage cyber security risks across their supply chains. These programmes have been designed to accompany existing guidance on mapping your supply chain and gaining confidence in your supply chain cyber security.

Cyber attacks that target supply chain vulnerabilities can create devastating ramifications that are expensive and long-lasting for organisations and their customers. The NCSC package is free to use and features knowledge checks along the way. No sign-in is required, interested parties can simply click the link and begin learning.