It’s time for the latest blog from our Head of ScotlandIS Cyber, Ciara, as she fills us in on everything the cluster has been up to lately.
Things do certainly seem to be returning to normal now on the event front with an excellent inaugural Glasgow Tech Fest conference this week and our own Annual Tech Survey launch earlier today.
Both events highlighted to me the strength and scale of the tech sector in Scotland, of which the cyber security sector plays a key role in, of course.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the Estonian Ambassador recently, thanks to the companies who joined me at this roundtable. Estonia is often called out as a great example of how small countries can achieve great things, with 10 unicorns so far having been established there. Attendees gained some great insights into how the ecosystem and community helps each other, and how the successful entrepreneurs and large companies help and support the smaller ones.
As Bruce Walker, FutureX, said at the Glasgow Tech Fest: “Everyone needs to take responsibility for the ecosystem” and I believe this to be equally true of the cyber security ecosystem and cluster. It is great that we do have such an engaged community, but could we be working better together to achieve more? I would love to hear your thoughts on this at the next Cyber Community event next week or get in touch with me directly.
The ScotlandIS annual Scottish Tech Industry Survey launched this week, with Minister Ivan McKee along to say a few words on his aspirations for the tech sector in Scotland. The report is now available but a few key stats I wanted to mention are:
- Edinburgh is now the most active tech community outside London, closely followed by Glasgow. Until 2029, the industry is forecasted to be the second fastest growing sector in Scotland with growth 1.5 times faster than the overall economy.
- Tech businesses are expecting to reap rewards from growth in data analytics, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, but the largest increase in potential growth opportunities has been seen in cyber security. A third (31%) of Scotland’s tech businesses are now seeing it as an opportunity in the year to come.
- The most in demand skills are sales & marketing, with 84% indicating at least some requirement in the area. Data skills, software and web development, cyber and leadership skills are also the skills that most digital technology companies say they require.
The annual tech report can be found here.
The tech sector, which includes cyber security of course, is being recognised as a key strategic sector for economic recovery and growth in Scotland, both through the number of jobs working in this sector but also the need for innovation to support the digital transformation of businesses. I’m excited to see the continued growth of this sector and in particular the cyber security sector in Scotland.
I will be attending CYBERUK on 10th and 11th May, so if you are heading there do let me know. There is a Women in Cyber networking event on the morning of the 11th so hope to see some of you there!