Business & Technology
UK cyber council launches title for first-time entrants
The UK Cyber Security Council has launched the Associate Cyber Security Professional title, a new registration aimed at people seeking their first cyber security role.
Now open for general applications following a pilot phase, the title will become a permanent part of the Council’s professional registration framework. It brings the total number of Council titles to four, alongside Practitioner, Principal and Chartered.
The launch comes as employers continue to report cyber skills shortages. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s latest Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market report found that 50% of UK businesses have a basic cyber skills gap, while 49% of cyber firms struggled to fill technical roles over the past year.
The new title is intended to address a common barrier to entering the sector: candidates often need experience to secure a first role, but need a first role to gain that experience.
Under the scheme, applicants must submit evidence of competence across five areas. It is open to people who are ready for, or already in, their first cyber security role, and recognises academic study, self-directed learning, certifications, bootcamps, apprenticeships and experience gained in other careers.
Some applicants will be able to fast-track the process if they hold qualifications, training or certifications already aligned with the title’s competency requirements.
Professional register
Unlike other certifications or qualifications, the Associate Cyber Security Professional title places successful applicants on the UK’s Cyber Security Professional Register, which the Council describes as the sector’s only route to formal professional registration.
Registration shows that an individual meets the standards set out in the UK Cyber Security Standard for Professional Competence and Commitment. To remain on the register, title holders must also complete 75 hours of continuing professional development over three years.
The title is designed to give employers a clearer benchmark when recruiting for entry-level roles, covering technical competence, ethical standards and a commitment to ongoing development.
Established by Royal Charter, the organisation has a public interest mandate to set and uphold professional standards for the cyber security sector. It said the Government recently recognised its role in strengthening national cyber resilience through the Cyber Resilience Action Plan and work on a new cyber profession aligned with the Council’s standard.
In a statement, Giles Grant said: “There are so many people who have the skills and drive for a career in cyber security but struggle to prove it to employers. The Associate title changes that. It gives individuals a credible, government-backed way to demonstrate their readiness for their first cyber role, while giving employers the confidence to hire them. This is a hugely important step in closing the cyber skills gap and ensuring the UK has the pipeline of cyber security professionals it needs.”
The registration is intended to widen the pool of candidates available to recruiters by recognising several routes into the profession rather than favouring a single educational pathway. That may be particularly relevant for employers seeking junior staff in a labour market where vacancies have remained difficult to fill.
More broadly, the launch reflects a wider effort to formalise cyber security as a profession with defined standards and recognised stages of progression. With more than 1,000 professionals already on the register, the Associate title extends that structure to people at the start of their careers.
Applications for the new title are open until 17 May.
Supermarket industry magazine The Grocer sent the mystery buyer to several supermarkets across the city and beyond to see which is best.
It said the supermarket performed well on availability, praised its layout and helpful staff members who work there.
A spokesperson for The Grocer said: “In keeping with its relatively prosperous 542,000 population, it was Waitrose that took the win this week with 83 points to be crowned Oxford’s best supermarket.
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“The 24,727 sq ft store on Botley Road, just a mile west of the city centre – one of six Waitrose stores in the city – performed well in most areas other than availability, where it registered two items out of stock and two not stocked.
“Nonetheless, our shopper praised the ‘great’ layout and described the store as ‘clean, tidy and litter-free’ with ‘a good range of products available’.
“She also noted it was ‘easy to find a staff member for help’ and felt everyone she interacted with was ‘very knowledgeable about the location of products’.”
Sainsbury’s in Heyford Hill took second place, praised for being “fairly modern” inside while Tesco in Cowley was third and Morrisons in Carterton came in a close fourth.
As reported, Asda in London Road, Wheatley was ranked as the worst by The Grocer’s mystery shopper.
The supermarket was described as “very tired and messy” with “rubbish all over the floor”.
Lisa‑Marie Mallier of No Fluff Communications and Jennifer Williams of Exec Support Solutions and Exec Recruitment Solutions have been named finalists at the National Business Women’s Awards 2026.
Both are shortlisted in the Female Business Leader (under five employees) category.
Ms Mallier said: “Being recognised as a female business leader is incredibly meaningful.
“It reflects the many women building businesses with resilience, clarity and purpose.
“Women often bring a collaborative, considered approach to leadership – balancing commercial outcomes with people and long-term thinking.
“That’s a real strength, and one we’re seeing more across the business community.”
Both women launched their businesses in 2018 and have since built successful, sustainable companies that contribute to the local economy.
No Fluff Communications is a strategic marketing and PR consultancy serving professional services, financial, and franchise businesses across the UK.
Ms Williams runs Exec Support Solutions, which provides virtual PA and business support services.
She also founded Exec Recruitment Solutions, specialising in executive support recruitment.
Ms Williams said: “It’s a real honour to be shortlisted alongside so many inspiring women.
“There are countless female business owners doing exceptional work, often without recognition.
“For me, leadership is about creating opportunities, supporting people to grow, and building strong, effective teams.
“It’s great to see that being recognised on a national stage.”
Both women also host Business Buzz networking events in their respective towns.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London in June.
Abingdon-based Scientific Magnetics (SciMag) has shipped its 20th superconducting magnet designed for quantum computing applications, marking a key milestone for the company and the sector.
Quantum computers use the principles of quantum mechanics to process information faster than conventional computers, enabling them to solve problems too complex or large for even the most powerful classical computers.
Clint Gouveia, managing director of SciMag, said: “Delivering our 20th superconducting magnet for quantum computing applications is a significant achievement for our team, who are working at the leading edge of the quantum computing revolution.”
The shipment follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of a £2.5 billion investment in the UK’s AI and quantum technologies sector.
In her Mais lecture on March 17, Ms Reeves outlined plans to make the UK the first country to deploy quantum computers at scale.
Stuart Gall, CEO of Avingtrans PLC Medical and Industrial Imaging Division, described the delivery as a significant milestone for the company.
He said: “With its combination of superconducting magnet technology and deep environmental expertise, the company is positioned right at the heart of this new technology, supplying essential components that underpin the qubit architecture needed to scale the industry at large.”
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