The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a cyber runway scheme in partnership with Plexal to use SMEs to bolster the digital defence of UK critical national infrastructure (CNI).
The Cyber Runway CNI programme, in accordance with September’s Cyber Action Growth Plan, will see SMEs contribute capabilities towards strengthening the defence of CNI as ever-evolving threats pose greater and greater challenges.
The programme aims to bridge the gap between cyber innovation and the security needs of sectors including energy, water, telecoms, transportation and data centres.
The six initial participating SMEs will have access to CNI buyers, investment valuations and growth strategies, while CNI providers will receive innovation discovery, regulatory awareness and supply chain resilience.
“There’s an abundance of UK cyber businesses developing powerful solutions to combat online threats but finding a route to market – especially involving large firms – isn’t straightforward,” said Plexal’s senior innovation lead for programmes Diane Gilbert.
“On the other side, we’ve seen so many high-profile industry attacks throughout this year, the NCSC has declared ‘cyber risk is no longer just an IT issue, it’s a boardroom priority.
“Cyber Runway CNI is positioned to improve the resilience of organisations that are critical to a functioning British society. We’re working together with cyber SMEs and critical operations to build sovereign cyber capability.”
The first cohort of SMEs selected for the programme include APIContext, CloudPeek, Goldilock, KETS Quantum Security and Praeferre.
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