The National Cyber Advisory Board

The National Cyber Advisory Board (NCAB) is a forum for a more inclusive and engaged national dialogue on cyber.

Role of the Board

The National Cyber Advisory Board (NCAB) is a forum for an inclusive and engaged national dialogue on cyber.

As part of the whole of society approach set out in the National Cyber Strategy 2022, the Board brings together leaders from academia, industry and the third sector nationwide. It allows the government to hear alternative viewpoints and harness networks from across the cyber ecosystem, mobilising them to support delivery across all five pillars of the strategy.

The NCAB takes the widest view of the National Cyber Strategy. It works closely with the Cyber Growth Partnership (which drives business growth in the UK cyber sector), the UK Cyber Security Council (which develops and promotes the profession), the Government Cyber Advisory Board and other relevant boards and organisations working to deliver our cyber commitments in government and the public sector.

The Board is co-chaired by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, and Sharon Barber, former Chief Information Officer at Lloyds Banking Group.

At the most recent meeting on 6 February the Board discussed the most significant cyber challenges and opportunities for the UK in 2025 and what the Government’s top cyber priorities should be. The Board also reviewed the three areas that its members have focused their effort on over the past year:

  • Quantum: how to ensure that the UK is quantum-ready
  • AI: supporting Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) as they developed the AI Cyber Security Code of Practice which was published in January 2025
  • Ransomware: supporting the Home Office with the development of legislative proposals to reduce the impact of ransomware. The ransomware consultation was published in January 2025.

Full membership of the Board:

  • Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Co-Chair of the National Cyber Advisory Board
  • Sharon Barber, Co-Chair of the National Cyber Advisory Board
  • Julian David, CEO, Tech UK
  • Claudia Natanson, Chair and CEO, UK Cyber Security Council
  • Stephen Bonner, Deputy Commissioner, Regulatory Futures, Information Commissioner’s Office
  • Nick Godfrey, Senior Director, Office of the CISO, Google Cloud
  • Saj Huq, Chief Commercial Officer, Plexal
  • Chris Johnson, Chief Scientific Advisor, DSIT, & Queen’s University Belfast
  • Emma Smith, Cyber Security Director, Vodafone
  • Don Smith, Vice President, Threat Research, Secureworks
  • Yasmin Brooks, Head, UK Government Affairs, Broadcom
  • Alison Dyer, Group CISO, Associated British Foods
  • Gareth Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Engineering Businesses, Marshall
  • Paul Stein, Chief Executive Officer, Floral Energy Limited
  • Siân John, Chief Technology Officer, NCC Group

News

How can I get involved?

We are looking for a strong and diverse array of voices that can support the Government’s cyber ambitions, from industry experts to cyber students. If you are interested and would like to learn more,  please email: ncab@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Contact details

ncab@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Contact details

ncab@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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