Thousands of teenagers will be given cyber security training under a new Cyber Schools Programme, with the aim to protect against a future skills shortage of cyber security professionals. The decision is likely a response to the increasing cyber attacks against the United Kingdom, which experiences approximately 200 cases a day.
The cyber security curriculum will include classroom and online teaching methods, as well as providing work experience opportunities from September. It is hoped 5,700 pupils aged between 14 and 18 will spend up to four hours a week on the subject, over the next five years.
Matt Hancock, minister of state for digital and culture, said:
"This forward-thinking programme will see thousands of the best and brightest young minds given the opportunity to learn cutting-edge cyber security skills alongside their secondary school studies."
The government is providing £20 million to finance the cyber security education, with aims to provide fledgling experts entering the industry - which currently employs 58,000 professionals in the UK - by 2021.
Source: The Independent | Image: US News