Cyber security and economic growth: call for views
Call for evidence description
The National Cyber Strategy sets out the government’s approach to protect and promote the UK’s interests in and through cyberspace, and to realise the opportunities of digital technology for our economy and our citizens. The government sees the potential for cyber security to drive growth across all sectors of our economy. To ensure we are supporting this potential, the government has asked the Rt Hon Stephen McPartland MP to conduct an independent review into cyber security as an enabler of economic growth. To support this work, the review sought views and evidence from across all sectors of the economy and other interested parties.
The government has the ambition to make the UK a science and technology superpower and to prioritise economic growth. Exploiting the benefits of digital technology and data has been and will continue to be a key element of UK economic growth. A thriving digital economy must have the right foundations, with security at its heart.
Cyber security includes any processes, practices, or technologies that organisations have in place to secure their networks, computers, programs or the data they hold from damage, attack or unauthorised access. Organisations with good cyber security practices better protect their operations, intellectual property and customers from cyber-attacks that can cause financial loss and business disruption. Secure technology allows industry to make the most of digital technologies to grow and innovate confidently, while minimising threats and risks. A strong and innovative tech ecosystem is central to building a resilient and prosperous digital economy.
Government wants all organisations to be able to understand the cyber security products and services they need and be able to access them. The UK has a strong and growing cyber security ecosystem which we are supporting to increase growth and exports and keep up with the increasing demand for cyber security products and services.
Cyber security can be an enabler to building trust, resilience and unleashing economic growth. Trust in technology is necessary for the economy to embrace data and digital improvements fully. The McPartland Review sets out to assess and highlight the economic benefits of effective cyber security for all sectors of the economy. This independent review aims to identify opportunities for improvement and to make recommendations to government on how to achieve further growth.
Revenue generated by the UK cyber security sector has nearly doubled from £5.7 billion in 2018 to over £10.5 billion in 2023, with an estimated 20,000 additional jobs created.
The sector has huge potential for further significant growth in revenue and employment, and the government sees the potential for cyber security to drive growth across all sectors of the economy. The McPartland Review therefore sought views on how best to generate and harness this growth.
The review sought a range of views from a diverse set of stakeholders including businesses, public sector bodies and experts in different fields.
Early evidence collected through the Call for Views informed a series of roundtable events with key stakeholders conducted throughout March and April 2024.
All questions were optional. Respondents could reply to whichever questions were most relevant to their organisation.
Respondents could also submit their views directly to the Review Secretariat for Stephen McPartland MP’s consideration by sending an email to cyber.review@dsit.gov.uk
Please note the Privacy Notice on this page which sets out how we will process respondents’ data.
The survey closed at 23:59 on Thursday 28 March.
The review will produce a report including a set of recommendations which will be submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology by 1 May 2024. Ministers will then decide on next steps.
For more information, please see the background to the review and the terms of reference.