Cyber security in Scotland

As one of the most highly educated countries in Europe, Scotland offers a strong output of world-class, multilingual graduates. Thanks to the dynamic mix of academic and vocational qualifications, Scotland has successfully embedded cyber skills into the curriculum, resulting in a holistic approach to scaling up our talent pipeline.  

The result is a cost-competitive and tech-savvy labour pool that has the famous Scottish work ethic at its core. For investors, this means you will benefit from a hard-working, reliable and diverse workforce, creating stability and reassurance for your business.  

Our talent pool is also strengthened by the presence of significant indigenous and international companies such as CGI and Accenture. Furthermore, if you need to recruit internationally, you’ll find that Scotland’s global profile and world-class quality of life will easily attract and retain the best talent.

You don’t have to go it alone either – we can help you to recruit skilled employees to Scotland, so you can focus on growing your business. 

Over 70% of Scotland’s universities offer cyber security courses. 

We have 14 Higher Education Institutions offering both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, creating a steady stream of talent. Scotland is also producing an increasing number of postgraduates with cyber degrees year on year. 

Scotland’s HEIs and colleges produce over 21,000 graduates every year.

This talent pool stems from courses related to cyber and technology, spanning the disciplines of computer science, engineering and mathematics.  

Retention rates are increasing, with an abundance of talent staying in Scotland.

We’re bringing together educators and employers. The Graduate Apprenticeship in Cyber Security and Data Science allows employees to achieve a degree level qualification while continuing to hone practical skills that meet the needs of employers. We've also worked with industry to launch new cyber qualifications – progression awards and a new HNC which will aid progression to degree level, further strengthening the talent pipeline. 

We recognise that learning doesn’t just happen inside the classroom.

In Scotland, industry meets academia to create unique environments like CodeClan. The accredited digital skills academy fast tracks the provision of software and data skills for digital businesses, creating a steady stream of digital talent for investors. 

We’re aiming to inspire further generations.  

Scotland creates many informal learning opportunities to spark enthusiasm for cyber careers. Our youth engagement reaches thousands of children – often in disadvantaged and rural areas – every year via lectures and school activities. 

As the world continues to be increasingly driven by technology, Scotland’s reputation for innovation makes it an ideal location for development, testing and implementation – no matter where you set up.  

Scotland’s long-standing strength in both the financial services and digital tech sectors means we are ahead of the pack when it comes to cyber security.  

While Edinburgh leads the field as Scotland’s digital tech centre, Glasgow is recognised for its growing pool of software developers. Dundee, meanwhile, with its successful track record in computer games development, is already a leader in providing account security for online gamers. 

Here’s a taster of where our strengths lie across our cyber research clusters: 

Offshore subsea 

• University of Aberdeen
• Robert Gordon University 

Games, ethical hacking, digital forensics, medical 

• University of Dundee
• Abertay University
• University of St Andrews 

Quantum, robotics, blockchain, AI, data

• Edinburgh Napier University
• Heriot-Watt University
• University of Edinburgh 

Critical infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, IoT, networks, 5G 

• Glasgow Caledonian University
• University of Glasgow
• University of Strathclyde
• University of West of Scotland 

Scotland has always been on the cutting edge of security. From the development of ATM machines and PIN numbers, to complex security algorithms and online ID systems, we’re proud of our long history protecting personal and sensitive data.  

We believe amazing things happen when great minds come together. That’s why our cyber and tech communities are founded on collaboration.

Underpinning our innovative spirit is a close alliance between industry, government and academia. The result is a unique environment that exists to help businesses like yours do incredible things.  

Here’s a flavour of the great ideas flowing from our universities and innovation centres:

Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security 

Scotland is home to a government approved Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research. Hosted by the University of Edinburgh, the Centre of Excellence specialises in developing the latest cyber security techniques and contributes to the UK’s increased knowledge and capability in this field.

Edinburgh is recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as meeting rigorous standards, including a critical mass of academic staff engaged in a significant volume of leading-edge, high-impact cyber security research.

Blockchain Technology Lab 

Based within the Edinburgh School of Informatics, the lab carries out open access research in blockchain technologies and decentralized systems in collaboration with industry and government partners. The lab focuses on industry inspired challenges, studying topics such as cryptography, regulation and compliance, business and law. 

More on the University of Edinburgh website

The Data Lab 

As the focus in cyber security is shifting from threat prevention alone to detection and response, data science is playing an increasingly important role. The Data Lab is an innovation centre which enables industry, the public sector and world-class researchers to develop new data science capabilities in a collaborative environment.  

With a Scotland-wide presence, the Data Lab is focused on delivering a range of activities that span across the areas of collaborative innovation, skills and training and community building. 

More on The Data Lab website

cyberQuarter 

Abertay University is leading on a new £11.7m project to create a cyber security research and development centre. The cyberQuarter will be a cluster of academic and industry activity, offering expertise in applied research and access to a range of support for local businesses and public bodies.  

More about the cyberQuarter project

CENSIS 

Located in Glasgow, CENSIS is the Centre for Sensing, Imaging Systems and Internet of Things technologies. The centre helps companies to overcome technological barriers to achieve growth and reach global markets, as well as providing access to skilled staff, state-of-the-art facilities and training opportunities.  

CENSIS has a programme of activity focused on enhancing resilience of IoT networks and devices and works proactively with companies on IoT security challenges. 

More on the CENSIS website

Bayes Centre for Data Science and Technology 

Bayes is part of the University of Edinburgh and is a key asset for the data science and artificial intelligence sectors.

The centre brings together more than 600 experts from industry and academia in a unique multi-disciplinary environment to nurture innovation, whether through supporting entrepreneurs and start-up projects, running accelerator programmes or attracting external investments. 

More on the Bayes Centre website

QuantIC

QuantIC is hosted at the University of Glasgow and is part of a £120m network of four quantum technology hubs across the UK. The Glasgow hub focuses on quantum imaging and brings together 120 researchers and over 30 industry partners to revolutionise imaging across markets.  

Through industrial collaboration, QuantIC can offer access to leading academics in quantum imaging, various funding streams and lab and hot-desking facilities. 

More on the University of Glasgow website

Invest in Scotland and you’ll become part of one of the world’s most supportive and accessible business environments. You’ll find support in our network of professional and industry bodies which make valuable connections for companies in cyber security. 

The Cyber Academy is based at Edinburgh Napier University and is an impartial source of skills and knowledge on cyber security. For companies, its biggest asset is SOCLAB, a virtual Security Operations Centre that allows organisations to undertake cyber security testing in a safe and controlled environment. Associate membership to the Academy is free and several major firms like Edinburgh-based Dell SecureWorks are already members. 

Informatics Ventures is hosted by the University of Edinburgh and encourages globally ambitious technology entrepreneurs to scale up through events and training. Informatics Ventures also delivers the Engage Invest Exploit conference, one of the largest UK shows connecting investors with Scotland’s tech startups. Through the programme, over £400 million of investment in companies has been raised to date.  

Interface connects businesses to academics with the knowledge they need. Interface will work with you to understand your goals, using its relationship with Scotland’s universities and research institutions to facilitate connections. As well as business engagement, the organisation can provide funding, events and help with accessing specialist facilities in Scotland. 

Major players such as Cisco Systems, Fortinet and Lockheed Martin are already taking advantage of everything Scotland has to offer, as well as the major banks, law firms and consultancy firms already here. 

Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and HSBC have all put their trust in Scotland, carrying out their cyber security functions in the country. And with our SMEs and solution providers like Oracle and Hewlett Packard employing hundreds of cyber security experts, you’ll be in good company. 

Our company base is accelerating 

More and more companies are seeing the value of setting up in Scotland. We’ve climbed from 50 companies in 2017 to nearly 200 in 2019.  

It’s not hard to see why. The low cost of living, concentration of innovative companies and access to world-class universities puts Edinburgh and Glasgow as leading destinations for tech companies. And, with one of the biggest financial and business hubs in Europe, there’s no shortage of forward-thinking organisations looking to adopt new cyber security solutions.  

Thanks to our compact size and high-density of expertise, Scotland lends itself perfectly as a test bed environment, where the public and private sector can mobilise quickly and efficiently to tackle cyber resilience together.  

ScotlandIS 

As our cluster management organisation for cyber security, ScotlandIS is directly connected into Scotland’s cyber ecosystem. It brings together Scotland’s growing business and academic cyber community to: 

• Create opportunities for businesses to collaborate across the public and private sector 
• Develop links with complementary clusters like data and fintech 
• Work with government to shape policy and address challenges on issues affecting the industry 

More on the ScotlandIS website