The University of Gloucestershire , The National Cyber Skills Centre, and Keele University were pleased this week to host the launch of The National Cyber Awareness Course which has been designed to provide an increased awareness across the United Kingdom for employees, students and members of the public to the risks and benefits of the cyber world.
The official cross-party launch, sponsored by Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk, took place at the House of Commons on 7 September 2015 and was supported by The Prime Minister and the Shadow Cyber Minister Chi Onwurah MP.
At the launch it was announced that The National Cyber Skills Centre would partner the University of Gloucestershire in the new £3 million Cyber centre currently being built in Cheltenham and Berkeley to promote and run a wide range of cyber skills course including both Cyber Essentials and The National Cyber Awareness Course.
The new centre will not only support the influx of new cyber businesses into the area drawn by GCHQ but will establish Cheltenham and the surrounding area as the national hub for Cyber Education and Skills training. It is anticipated this will attract investment and new jobs into the area.
“The National Cyber Awareness course has been designed to raise awareness across all sectors and age ranges. I am particularly grateful to Alex Chalk MP and Professor Kamal Bechkoum of The University of Gloucestershire for their support in making Cheltenham the obvious choice to base such an initiative.” - Prof Richard Benham –Professor in Residence – The National Cyber Skills Centre
“I am again pleased to show my support for the launch of The National Cyber Awareness Course which following the successful launch of The National MBA in Cyber Security last year is welcome in increasing our cyber knowledge in this digital age.” - Rt Hon David Cameron MP – Prime Minister
"The need to increase the awareness and education of Cyber and Data Security amongst our business leaders and managers in the UK remains a top priority to combat the ever increasing risks that face both government and British Industry. I am delighted to support The National Cyber Awareness Course as a step to meeting this challenge." - Chi Onwurah MP – Shadow Cabinet Office Minister
“I am delighted that Cheltenham was chosen as the location for the National Cyber Awareness Course. It’s great news for our town. I believe passionately that tech should play a key part in generating jobs and investment locally. This announcement adds to our town’s growing reputation in this crucial, and expanding, sector.” - Alex Chalk MP - Member of Parliament for Cheltenham