Working independently with experts at Imperial College London, the plan will provide key insights for the Government to support the UK’S thriving cyber security sector to help ensure economic security and resilience.

A rapid sectoral analysis will identify core strengths and emerging trends in the UK cyber sector and highlight opportunities to accelerate growth as part of the government’s wider National Cyber Strategy.

Simon Shiu, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Bristol and leading the project, said:  "The UK Cyber Sector is successful and growing, but so too are the challenges as demonstrated by recent events which have affected businesses and consumers.

“Based on input from all parts of the Cyber Sector, this project will make independent recommendations to accelerate growth in Cyber, but also to increase cyber-resilience in the other sectors critical to UK security, industry, and prosperity." 

Leading experts from across the University, including its Bristol Digital Futures Institute, and Imperial’s Centre for Sectorial Economic Performance, which is supporting the project, will focus on four key workstreams:

1. Sectoral Analysis – Deepening insights into the UK’s cyber sector, which in 2024 generated £13.2 billion in revenue and supported over 67,000 jobs.
2. Strategy Alignment – Exploring how the sector can leverage its role in the UK’s Industrial Strategy and upcoming legislation like the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
3. Future Technologies and Societal Trends – Anticipating how emerging technologies and societal shifts will reshape the cyber landscape.
4. Building on Strengths – Enhancing collaboration across academia, industry, and government to drive innovation and growth.

Professor Nigel Brandon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial, said: “The Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance (CSEP) at Imperial is uniquely placed to work with the University of Bristol on this important work in a rapidly growing and key sector for the UK economy.

“This work is aligned with our ambition to help drive economic growth by boosting the UK’s innovation capacity, productivity and competitiveness.”

The Growth Plan will culminate in a set of recommendations to be delivered later this summer, offering a roadmap for government action to put the UK at the global forefront of cyber security. It is central to the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at driving innovation, creating high-quality jobs and securing long-term economic resilience.  

Cyber Security Minister Feryal Clark said: “Cyber security is essential to our economic strength and national resilience. Today’s announcement is backed by investment showing we’re serious about making the UK a global leader in cyber innovation and protection.

“Through our Plan for Change, we’re backing the sector to create high-quality jobs through the Cyber Growth Action Plan and ensuring our public services are built on secure foundations with the expert support of the Government Cyber Advisory Board.”