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Greater Manchester has launched a new Cyber Strategy for 2023-28 that sets out how the city-region plans to build on its successes in this sector for the next five years.
The five year plan details how the city-will continue the rapid expansion of cyber technology, infrastructure, and innovation, which is already the national’s fastest growing cyber ecosystem. The strategy details how partnerships between government, private sector organisations and academia can collectively strengthen the resilience and diversity of the cyber sector in Greater Manchester.
The city-region is already at the forefront of cybersecurity and innovation, rapidly becoming the UK and European centre for digital ethics, trust and security, and playing a pivotal role in the UK’s security and resilience. Greater Manchester is the UK’s top digital tech city outside the capital with a £5 billion digital econmy, and is also a base for the UK’s cybersecurity agency, GCHQ. Other key assets such as the Digital Innovation Security Hub in central Manchester and influential university research projects add to the add to the strengths and potential of Greater Manchester’s digital sector.
The Greater Manchester Cyber Strategy 2023-2028 plan has been developed by the city-region’s Cyber Advisory Group, a multi-agency forum representing the breadth and diversity of the ecosystem comprising representatives from Greater Manchester’s cyber businesses, academia, public sector and local and national government. The strategy will also support the development of accessible opportunities for people to develop the skills and capabilities needed to address talent and skills gaps.
Cllr Nick Peel, GMCA Lead for Digital said:
“Through greater collaboration, innovation and skills development we have a real opportunity to deliver improved productivity and resilience that benefits businesses and individuals across Greater Manchester. Having a cyber strategy for the region is key. We know that growth of our cyber sector will lead to the creation of high value jobs, which, in turn will contribute to a greener, fairer and more prosperous Greater Manchester. We’re ensuring community engagement is throughout our plans and drawing in cyber talent from across the region. Through this strategy, we will empower people by making them feel safer and more confident to use digital technologies for work, health, or to access online public services.”
Victoria Knight, Chair of Greater Manchester’s Cyber Advisory Group and Strategic Campaigns Director at BAE Systems, said
“Led by the Greater Manchester Cyber Advisory Group, this strategy will drive forward an inclusive, resilient and prosperous economy for Greater Manchester and for the North. It will ensure that we build upon our bold and ambitious strategy to foster collaborations, drive innovation and investment whilst creating accessible routes to careers in cyber and celebrating diversity across the sector. This will firmly establish Greater Manchester at the core of responsible cyber on both a national and international stage.”