Over 30 projects across England and Northern Ireland are to deliver targeted assistance to increase the UK’s cyber resilience, such as finding better ways to protect businesses and families from potential cyber attacks, and providing training to improve the British public’s cyber skills, as in line with the government’s Plan for Change to boost the economy and consolidate the UK’s digital security.

These new projects are set to receive a combined £1.9 million government and private investment to encourage the growth of the UK’s cyber defences and ensure even region has the cyber workforce needed to mitigate and defend against potential attacks. The projects are nationwide, with Northern Ireland, the Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the South West, the North East and the North West of England set to benefit.

The UK’s cyber sector contributes £11.9 billion to the economy, and demand for trained cyber professionals continues to rise as online threats also increase. Almost half of UK businesses report a cyber skills shortage, and so these projects will aim to more closely meet this demand by giving British citizens the skills they need to explore new, well-paid careers in cyber in order to solidity the wider security of technology and digital services across the country.

These will projects will be delivered by universities, local community groups and businesses, and adjust their methodology to meet the needs of individual areas by providing training for a wide range of individuals, from high school students to working professionals.

Among the schemes being funded are programmes in the South West and Yorkshire to upskill workers in small businesses, as well as a scheme in the North West to allow new pathways in cyber for local communities. A project I Northern Ireland will explore how to encourage more neurodiverse workers to consider careers in cyber, while a programme in the Midlands aims to support women and girls to protect themselves against cyber violence and abuse.

Minister for cyber security Feryal Clark said: “We live more and more of our lives online — whether that’s for our weekly shopping, banking, browsing the web to book a holiday, or simply staying in touch with our loved ones.

“But our growing digital economy is also worth billions to the economy. That’s why having strong defences in place is more important than ever — and as part of our Plan for Change to grow our economy, we also need to protect it.

“Attempts to disrupt the technologies and services we rely on daily continue to grow, so we’re leaving no stone unturned to make sure our communities have the skills to rise to the challenge.

“It’s also vital we develop a diverse and talented cyber security workforce, which is why the next phase of the Cyber Explorers Cup competition will be vital in identifying the UK’s cyber leaders of tomorrow.”

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) director for national resilience and future technology, Jonathan Ellison said: “These projects will help enhance the UK’s cyber resilience by empowering local communities with the small skills and support needed to combat growing digital threats.

“By ups killing small businesses and individuals, investing in workforce development and encouraging neurodiverse talent, government and industry partners are fostering robust and diverse cyber communities for the future.

“This is vital for protecting our digital economy, creating new opportunities for secure innovation and helping make the UK the safest place to live and work online.”

The Cyber Explorers Cup competition, which has launched its second round, is to help meet the demand for cyber workers in the UK for years to come by encouraging young people to take up cyber skills. Cyber Explorers is a free, interactive cyber security learning platform which has been rolled out to secondary schools across the UK for 1-14 years olds to build essential digital skills. Winners will take home a certificate of achievement and will also be encouraged to join the cyber security workforce in the future.