Microsoft is partnering with the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Accelerator series to develop start-ups that can make the UK safe online.
It comes as the NCSC warns of rising cybersecurity threats. The NCSC announced that in the past year it dealt with 723 cybersecurity incidents involving 1,200 victims. These are the highest totals since the NCSC was formed.
The NCSC is seeing ransomware attacks triple, with hackers threatening to leak sensitive information if money is not handed over.
Microsoft believes it’s crucial that companies are given the support to create products that can protect the UK. The Centre is working with new companies to encourage the development of new products, skills, jobs and growth. It is also working with Microsoft to encourage applications and offer more knowledge to participants. Microsoft will provide access to its Accelerator alumni network, as well as giving access to technology such as Azure cloud platform and GitHub Enterprise. The collaboration will also give businesses opportunity to sell alongside Microsoft.
This programme in the series discusses risks associated with:
- Data insights
- Situational awareness
- Interfacing to critical national infrastructure (CNI)
- Manufacturing and robotics
Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, says: “Good cybersecurity is the bedrock of our digital economy. People can shop, work and play online and make business’ resilient.”
Chris Ensor, Deputy Director for Cyber Skills and Growth at the NCSC, says: “We’re grateful to Microsoft for their involvement, helping us nurture the most innovative cyber security talents. I would encourage UK cyber security companies to apply.”
Microsoft’s threat intelligence teams saw a spike in cyber attacks as cyber criminals used coronavirus scams. In its latest report, the NCSC revealed a quarter of incidents were related to coronavirus.
Chris Perkins, General Manager of UK Public Sector at Microsoft, states: “The UK has history of innovation in cyber security. The level of threat we face today is significant. Microsoft invests more than $1 billion a year in digital safety. It’s critical we partner with the National Cyber Security Centre and the Cyber Accelerator programme to protect British individuals, businesses and organisations.”
Microsoft also runs its own programme for helping small companies successfully scale.
“We’re excited to be working with the NCSC to support fantastic UK-based companies helping us build better smart cities,” says Amali de Alwis, Managing Director at Microsoft for Startups UK.
The programme is open for applications. Participants are chosen through competing using technical challenges. These identify areas of cybersecurity weakness where products are needed. Furthermore, start-ups receive growth opportunities and access to NCSC’s and GCHQ’s expertise.
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