Dr Bob Nowill has been named as the new chairman of the Cyber Security Challenge UK.
Replacing the retiring Judy Baker, who launched the challenge in 2010 and oversaw five winners, Nowill will take on the position from 1st April. Formerly a director of Cyber for BT and director of technology and engineering for GCHQ, he has been a board member of the Challenge and has been involved with the growth of the organisation for several years.
Nowill said: “The Challenge has stood the test of time. It works, and it has a proven track record of helping boost the UK talent pool in cyber. But there is much more we can do to increase its impact. By expanding our programme to encompass a broader range of industries where cyber skills can impact a much wider range of organisations, we can build on our current success and increase our value.”
He will focus on further expansion into additional sectors requiring cyber skills, continued alignment with the future National Cyber Security Programme and a drive towards self-sufficiency by growing new funding streams. He also said that the Challenge must continue to work closely with Government to define its role in the next phase of the National Cyber Security Programme (NSCP) and continue to strive to be self-sufficient.
“Alongside the superb sponsorship we have received from industry and academia, Government support for our endeavours has been a major element of our ability to succeed,” he said. “Part of my responsibility is to ensure that the relationship continues to work for both parties under the next phases of the NCSP, so the strongest elements of the Challenge are nurtured and fuelled with the resources required to ensure their growth and continued success.”
