Digital Catapult will deliver a new business advice and mentoring programme for UK cyber security startup after being awarded £1.1m funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The innovation network’s project, Cyber 101, will be supported by the Accelerator Network, the Centre for Secure Information Technologies and The VTC Group, who will provide cyber business development expertise.
Funding comes from the Government’s £1.9bn National Cyber Security Strategy, which aims to tackle threats employing increasingly complex techniques and methods.
Minister of State for Digital and Culture Matt Hancock said: “We’re determined to make sure the UK remains a world-leading digital economy, the best place for innovative firms to start up and scale up, and that we are the safest place to live and do business online.
“This funding, delivered by the Digital Catapult consortium, and working alongside the new National Cyber Security Centre, will play a vital role in delivering those aims.”
Two pilot programmes will be launched in Northern Ireland and London between February and March.
The four-year initiative will then be rolled out for start-up businesses across the UK.
Dr Jeremy Silver, who is Chief Executive Officer at Digital Catapult described cyber security as a ‘tier one threat’ to the UK with a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
He added: “The Government is committed to supporting the UK’s ability to defend itself from cyber-attack and take action against cybercriminals.
“A significant part of this comes down to removing barriers to growth and supporting innovation in this space, in turn helping foster leading cyber security companies in UK.
“The Cyber 101 programme is specifically designed to help achieve these aims.“