Tim Quayle

Later today I am delighted to be joining a roundtable hosted by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology hosted by the National Technology Adviser, Dave Smith, alongside techUK and other business leaders to discuss how we unlock growth in the tech sector.   I am incredibly proud to be a part of the UK cyber industry, which is not only a significant growth sector worth around £18.4bn, but also an essential enabler of sustainable and resilient growth across the economy.   We have a huge opportunity through the forthcoming Digital and Technologies Sector Plan to back this critical sector - tackling the 73,500-person skills shortage, reforming R&D incentive structures and updating our cyber laws.   Doing so would deliver growth and ensure the UK has the talent and capabilities it needs to maintain resilience in the face of emerging cyber threats.   The sophistication and volume of cyber attacks is ever evolving, with NCC Group identifying 5263 ransomware attacks alone in 2024 - the highest on record. Read more in our newly published Cyber Threat Monitor Report 2024: https://lnkd.in/ebjEDptV

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🚀 Exciting news for aspiring cyber security professionals! The UK Cyber Security Council, in partnership with the UKC3 - UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3), has launched the Cyber Access Network (CAN)—a free initiative funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to help bridge the cyber skills gap. Whether you're a student starting out or a career changer exploring new opportunities, CAN provides: ✅ Networking with industry professionals ✅ Informative & interactive webinars ✅ Exclusive insights into the cyber security sector 🔗 Learn More > https://bit.ly/can-bb  🔗 Sign up today and take your first step into cyber security! > https://bit.ly/canrf-bb #CyberSecurity #Careers #CyberAccessNetwork #Networking #TechJobs

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Cybersecurity is the foundation of our increasingly digitised world.  Last week, the UK Government unveiled its first plans for the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, set to be introduced later this year. This legislation will require firms providing essential IT services to public services and the wider economy to bolster their cyber security defences. As cyber threats continue to evolve, it's crucial that we stay ahead of the curve to protect our digital economy and infrastructure. This bill will empower businesses to push for improvements and update frameworks as new threats emerge. It’s important for businesses, the government and wider society to come together to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the UK. Only then can we navigate these changes effectively and enhance cyber resilience. Read more by following the link in the comments. #CyberSecurity #Resilience #DigitalEconomy 

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Should the UK government pay cybersecurity leaders more than the Prime Minister? This is the question at the heart of recent discussions within Whitehall. Senior officials argue that without offering competitive salaries, the UK simply won’t attract the top-tier cyber talent it urgently needs. In today’s threat landscape, underpaying cyber leaders leaves critical infrastructure exposed and ultimately costs taxpayers far more in recovery from major incidents. For: The cyber talent market is fiercely competitive. Top specialists command private-sector salaries well above public-sector norms. Investing in permanent, high-caliber leadership could reduce long-term costs by minimising dependence on expensive contractors and mitigating the fallout of cyberattacks. The British Library ransomware attack is a stark example: millions spent on recovery could have been avoided with better cyber leadership. Against: Paying civil servants more than the Prime Minister challenges longstanding norms and could cause public and political backlash. There’s concern about creating disparities within the civil service, potentially affecting morale and perceptions of fairness. Some argue the government should focus on better training and retention strategies rather than simply raising pay. As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear: cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a national security imperative. What do you think? Should governments pay to play in cyber? I vote yes. #CyberSecurity #PublicSector #Leadership #NationalSecurity #Infosec #DigitalTransformation

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As you read this, my team is on-site at another business in Birmingham helping them recover from a cyber attack. They contacted us in desperation earlier this week after finding us online, having been down for several days and unable to recover. We're still working through a resolution, but it's already clear that the situation would have been prevented with stronger cyber security leadership. The owner believed their tools were enough, and like many, they put people-focused security on the back burner. It's a harsh reminder that technology alone doesn't protect your business. Culture does. Most cybersecurity programs focus on tools, not people. That’s the real problem. Threats don’t only come from the outside. Human behaviour is often the weakest link. But here’s the flip side: it can also be your strongest defence. The key is to build a security-first culture through influence, not enforcement. People are more cooperative when you share the “why” behind policies. Lead by example. Security habits are contagious when people see them in action. Gain commitment by having your team sign policies, then remind them of those commitments over time. Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue. It’s a people issue. Be the leader who builds a strong cyber security culture that will keep your business safe. If you're unsure where to start, feel free to message me. I'm happy to share what's working for others.

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Managing general agent Cowbell has made its first move beyond the standalone cyber insurance market in the UK with the launch of a hybrid professional indemnity and cyber solution for technology firms. https://hubs.li/Q03jFSMZ0

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"If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." ICYMI: Cyber Monitoring Centre have officially categorized the recent spate of attacks on the UK retail sector as a Category 2 systemic event with economic impact between £270m - £440m. https://lnkd.in/ga8bxDT4 Why does this matter? This is the first live case where the CMC is working on a real-life evolving set of attacks. There are caveats and limitations - most notably that the attack against M&S and the Co-op are being treated as a single event. This is at odds with the current (re)insurance industry understanding of event language. But it's a useful start. The ability to determine the systemic economic impact of an event is the first step to align insurance risk appetite with capital, either for those seeking predictable, stable returns, or those looking for higher margin and higher volatility.

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