50% of UK Businesses Lack the Skills to Combat a Cyber-attack

Technology has become increasingly vital in the business world, being crucial for everything from record keeping to everyday activities to sophisticated algorithms and software. Despite this obvious reliance on connected technologies however, new research has revealed that only 50% of UK businesses feel adequately prepared to deal with a cyber-attack; given how costly such attacks can prove to be for affected companies, this is a truly alarming statistic.

The research, conducted by IT jobs board CW Jobs, seems to reveal that this lack of preparedness for cyber-attacks is in fact just one part of a wider skills gap in the UK tech industry. For example, nearly one-third of tech employees reportedly feel they are insufficiently trained in coding, cybersecurity and cloud migration; meanwhile 23% assert that their business is missing  crucial programming and cybersecurity skills altogether. 49% of IT workers say that cybersecurity was not even included in their training, and 23% admit they are not confident in handling a cybersecurity attack.

Despite the apparent severity and urgency of this issue, only 22% of employers currently offer their workforce cybersecurity training of any kind. According to many employers the responsibility for ensuring that tech employees possess these skills falls on educational institutions, with 75% agreeing that universities should be fulfilling this role. This approach does not seem to be working however, as 38% of tech employers believe that tech graduates are entering the industry still lacking the necessary cybersecurity skills.

Dominic Harvey, Director of CW Jobs, commented, “The government has started taking steps to address the skills gap with plans to treble the number of computer science teachers in schools, introduce a national centre for computing, and boost digital skills with the provision of distance learning courses.

“It’s really encouraging to see the government listened to the concerns of the tech industry and responded by putting in plans to up-skill the next generation of tech employees. This is not only important for the UK to keep pace globally, but so that businesses and organisations can be adequately prepared in the event of a cybersecurity attack, for instance.

“Now that we have a commitment from Government – and a clearer sense of where the skills are needed in areas like coding and cybersecurity – all parties can make a concerted effort to direct the new resources where they are needed most.”

Sam Bonson

Sam is an aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He is currently working as a content writer, journalist & editor as he continues to expand his horizons.