Open University course aims to introduce cyber security to 200,000 people

University hopes new eight-week course will inspire people to opt for career in cyber security

The Open University is to launch a new course this autumn, which it hopes will inspire 200,000 people to opt for a career in cyber security.

There has been much attention on a global cyber security skills gap in recent years, as the threat of cyber-attacks against businesses and government grows. Computing itself has teamed up with leading training provider QA Training to raise awareness of the growing need for people with security skills in industry and government through a campaign dubbed Securing Talent.

As part of its aim to increase the talent pool available for recruiters, QA offers an MSc in cyber security for working professionals.

The Open University also wants to increase the amount of talent available for industry and government.

Natalie Black, deputy director at the government's Cyber Defence and Incident Management Office, suggested that the objective was about "increasing skills in the UK generally, and about having the right skills across the board".

The eight-week course would be an introduction to cyber security and would result in a diploma.

The course is part of a wider objective from the government to promote IT skills through Computing GCSEs.

Computing and QA Training's Securing Talent campaign aims to raise awareness of the growing need for people with cyber security skills in industry and government, and for clearer pathways into the cyber security field.