Education investment key to fighting cyber crime

The number of IT and cyber security professionals in the UK has not increased in line with the growth of the internet, said the National Audit Office (NAO).

 The University and College Union (UCU) pointed out that the number of IT courses in English universities had dropped in recent years* and called for better investment to ensure the UK was not left behind.

UCU is campaigning for greater investment in education and has launched the knowledge economy campaign website - more information can be found at www.knowledgeeconomy.org.uk

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "Worryingly, this looks like another example of where we risk losing a competitive edge through failing to invest in tomorrow's technologies. We have much from politicians on the need for a better-skilled workforce, but seen little action to ensure it can develop."

* The number of Computer Science principal subject degree courses in England fell from 176 in 2006 to 140 in 2012.