The UK Government is grappling with a notable deficiency in cybersecurity expertise, which exposes essential services to heightened cyber threats, according to a recent report by the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The Committee’s findings highlighted a significant shortfall in digital competencies within the civil service. This service possesses fewer than half of the required professionals in the domains of digital, data, and tech. Presently, these professionals make up only about 4.5% of the government workforce, a stark contrast to an industry standard that falls between 8% and 12%.

According to the PAC’s investigation, a specific dearth was noted in cybersecurity professionals in the UK government, a domain where expertise often garners higher remuneration. Dame Meg Hillier, PAC’s Chairperson, expressed her concerns over the inadequacy of cyber experts within the government.

Moreover, this digital proficiency deficit impedes the government’s ability to renovate and tackle its most vulnerable legacy systems. The PAC’s data aligns with the insights from a report titled ‘Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market 2023’ released in July 2023. This report revealed that half of the UK businesses face a foundational cybersecurity skills void, with a third grappling with a more advanced competency gap.

Reflecting on the PAC’s findings, Professor Richard Benham, an esteemed academic in the realm of cybersecurity and a governmental advisory figure, underscored the gravity of these discoveries, especially in the context of burgeoning advanced technologies. He emphasized that evolving realms like AI, quantum computing, and tech bio-engineering will redefine the parameters of human capabilities. Consequently, the impending digital transformation will introduce swift challenges, necessitating foresighted cyber experts who can anticipate the cascading effects on all aspects of daily life. Benham also lamented the limited leadership in this sector, recalling his pioneering role as the first Professor of Cyber Security Management just a little over a decade ago.

Factors Contributing to the Skills Shortage The PAC’s inquiry unearthed multiple reasons for the digital skill void within the civil service:

• Financial limitations within the civil service have rendered government departments less competitive than the private sector, particularly in roles that are challenging to fill, like those in cybersecurity.
• Some of the talent shortages can be attributed to prior decisions, as staffing reductions have resulted in a curtailed digital workforce across governmental departments.
• The need for top-tier leadership to possess a more profound comprehension of the digital landscape remains unstandardized within the civil service. Therefore, the PAC advocates for the integration of digital tasks, such as enhancing digital amenities and addressing vulnerable legacy systems, in appointment letters for senior roles across all sectors.