Greater Manchester has launched a new Cyber Strategy for 2023-28 that sets out how the city-region plans to build on its successes in this sector for the next five years.
The five-year plan details how the city region will continue its growth within the cyber technology, infrastructure and innovation sector and continue its path as the nation’s fastest-growing cyber ecosystem. The strategy details how partnerships between the private sector and government can collectively strengthen the diversity and resilience within the cyber and digital sector within Greater Manchester.
The northern powerhouse is already the UK’s top digital tech city outside of London, with a £5 billion industry. Home to the cybersecurity agency GCHQ, Manchester is a central hub for the growing digital economy. Other key assets such as the Digital Innovation Security Hub and influential university research projects add to the strengths and potential of Greater Manchester’s digital sector.
The GM Cyber Strategy 2023 – 2028 has been developed by the city’s Cyber Advisory Group and includes representatives from businesses, academia, public sector and local and national government. The strategy has five key priorities: Empowering people and communities, Building responsible, data-driven public services, Digitally enabling a resilient and prosperous economy, Creating connected inclusive, sustainable places and Strengthening our position as a global digital influencer. These five priorities are focused on delivering benefits to the city region and look to benefit everyone.
You can read the full 2023-2028 strategy here.
Cllr Nick Peel, GMCA Lead for Digital said:
“Through greater collaboration, innovation and skills development we have a real opportunity to deliver improved productivity and resilience that benefits businesses and individuals across Greater Manchester. Having a cyber strategy for the region is key. We know that growth of our cyber sector will lead to the creation of high value jobs, which, in turn will contribute to a greener, fairer and more prosperous Greater Manchester. We’re ensuring community engagement is throughout our plans and drawing in cyber talent from across the region. Through this strategy, we will empower people by making them feel safer and more confident to use digital technologies for work, health, or to access online public services.”
Victoria Knight, Chair of Greater Manchester’s Cyber Advisory Group and Strategic Campaigns Director at BAE Systems, said
“Led by the Greater Manchester Cyber Advisory Group, this strategy will drive forward an inclusive, resilient and prosperous economy for Greater Manchester and for the North. It will ensure that we build upon our bold and ambitious strategy to foster collaborations, drive innovation and investment whilst creating accessible routes to careers in cyber and celebrating diversity across the sector. This will firmly establish Greater Manchester at the core of responsible cyber on both a national and international stage.”
