The UK Cyber Security Council has announced its new affiliate membership options for existing and prospective members. The council – the self-regulatory body for the UK’s cybersecurity profession – now offers four different membership packages which provide a range benefits and opportunities for businesses and practitioners across the cybersecurity sector. The announcement follows the council’s recent work towards establishing a universally recognised, professional standard for the UK cybersecurity sector to provide professionals the opportunity to achieve chartered status across 16 specialisms.
UK Cyber Security Council membership options are Support, Share, Sponsor, Showcase
Members will be able to choose one of the following packages – Support, Share, Sponsor, and Showcase, the UK Cyber Security Council wrote on its website.
Support has been designed to give added benefits to organisations who want to support the Council’s charitable work, whilst seeing value for their membership, the council stated. “Those opting for this package will gain access to the members only area of our website, which includes a calendar of exclusive online events and early access to research and insights produced. Support package holders will also be able to apply to join working groups or council committees, advertise vacancies on our jobs page, take part in surveys and consultations to inform UK government policy, and receive discounts for paid events and sponsorship activities.”
In addition to everything offered in the Support package, the Share option enables organisations to share best practice with the wider sector, highlighting their contribution to the cybersecurity sector through in-person or online events, or through the creation of tailored resources, the council wrote. “This package also gives you the opportunity of one sponsored job posting each year, meaning you can highlight the role at the top of our jobs board and see more applications for your sponsored vacancy.”
The Sponsor package includes everything in the Share package and focuses on interactive sponsorship opportunities. It offers the opportunity to request a speaker from the council to speak at a member’s own event, whilst businesses can also host a roundtable discussion at one of the council’s key conferences and have three sponsored jobs postings per year.
Finally, the Showcase option offers everything that the previous packages include, as well as benefits such as a personalised engagement plan, access to all the council’s events for several delegates, and spotlighted job promotion for ten roles per year. “Further to this, Showcase members will also receive co-production and promotion of two publications in partnership with us, headline sponsorship at a council conference including a keynote speaking slot, and a dedicated relationship manager for your organisation.”
Council implementing professional standard for UK cybersecurity
The UK Cyber Security Council has launched several schemes in the last few months as part of its efforts to introduce a professional standard for the UK cybersecurity sector across 16 specialisms. In October 2022, the council announced a pilot in the specialisms of Cyber Security and Governance and Risk Management and Secure System Architecture and Design, with industry bodies (ISC)² and the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) confirmed as initial partners.
In January, it launched the Security Testing partnership alongside not-for-profit membership body industry CREST and training assessment provider The Cyber Scheme. In February, the council announced the Audit and Assurance pilot, with ISACA, which developed the globally recognised Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) credentials, serving as the awarding body for Audit and Assurance professional titles.