Nationwide Building Society has announced its intention to incorporate cyber security training into its programme, which has successfully fast-tracked over 300 graduates in the past nine years. Partnering with cyber training specialist Capslock, Nationwide aims to bolster the number of cyber experts in the UK, enhance diversity within the team, and cultivate a cyber-first culture within the organization.
Capslock will assist Nationwide in the onboarding, training, and placement of individuals into the cyber security function. The founder and CEO of Capslock, Andrea Cullen, emphasized the importance of equipping cyber security professionals with the ability to think like threat actors in order to effectively combat them. She highlighted the significance of diversity in experience, background, and thinking for bolstering the UK’s cyber resilience.
The training programme is designed to accommodate individuals from various backgrounds, not just those with technical expertise. Graduates and career-changers with a passion for cyber security and transferable skills from other life experiences are encouraged to participate. Over a span of 16 weeks, participants will undergo training to attain Certified Cyber Security Practitioner status with Ce-CSP certifications.
Drawing from the insights of a banking IT specialist who has navigated the realm of cyber security in large banks, the necessity of understanding cyber criminals was reiterated. With former hackers often transitioning into cyber security roles due to their intimate knowledge of malicious tactics, the significance of thinking like cyber criminals was underscored. The specialist highlighted the perpetual battle banks face against cyber criminals and the constant need for vigilance.
Nationwide’s chief security and resilience officer, David Boda, emphasized the practicality of the training programme in simulating real-world cyber security scenarios and fostering a collaborative, problem-based approach. With Nationwide boasting a workforce of approximately 18,000 employees serving 16 million customers, Boda expressed optimism regarding the programme’s dual benefits for the UK cyber security sector and the building society’s internal security.
The demand for cyber security skills in the UK has been highlighted as a pressing issue, with the National Audit Office recently unveiling the substantial skills gap within the government. Vacancies in cyber security roles, coupled with temporary staffing arrangements, have underscored the urgency of bolstering the country’s cyber security skillset. Capslock, having trained over 1,000 individuals since its inception in 2021, aims to contribute to bridging this skills gap and reinforcing the cyber security workforce.
The CEO of The Finanser, Chris Skinner, emphasized the value of individuals with cyber security expertise in the finance sector, citing the industry’s frequent exposure to cyber threats. Skinner posited that the finance sector serves as a fertile ground for cultivating cyber security talent that can be leveraged across diverse business sectors.
In conclusion, Nationwide’s collaboration with Capslock to introduce cyber security training reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the escalating cyber threats faced by organizations. By nurturing a diverse pool of cyber security professionals, Nationwide is not only fortifying its own security measures but also contributing to the overall enhancement of the UK’s cyber resilience.