‘Record year’ for UK cyber security sector as number of firms increases 21%

The UK Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis, carried out by polling firm Ipsos Mori, illustrates the rapid growth of an industry which now employs more than 46,000 people in the UK.

The report reveals the sector contributed more than £4bn to the economy last year, attracting £800m of investment. It created 3,800 new jobs over the same period.

Nearly two-thirds of the 46,683 cyber workers are employed by large firms of 250 employees or more, the research found.

UK cyber security firms raised £821million across 73 funding deals, more than twice the amount raised in 2019.

The results suggest that more than half of firms (54%) are based outside of London & the South East as “cyber clusters” spring up in areas such as Scotland, Northern Ireland and England.

Matt Warman, Digital Minister, said: “The need for cutting-edge cyber security has never been greater and this resilient sector is growing, diversifying and solidifying its status as a jewel in the UK’s tech crown.

“I am committed to supporting the industry to reach new heights, create more jobs and lead new innovations in this field.

The findings come a week after the UK government unveiled a new UK Cyber Security Council set professional standards and boost career opportunities in cyber security. The new body will start operating after 31 March.

This research was carried out for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) by Ipsos MORI, with Perspective Economics, the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen’s University Belfast and Professor Steven Furnell at the University of Plymouth.

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