New Government 'Cyber Profession' Needs Skilled Cyber Professionals to Protect Public Services

Government Speeds Up Cyber Vulnerability Fixes Across Public Services

At the centre of the announcement is the VMS, a system designed to identify cyber weaknesses across the public sector and help organisations fix them quickly.

The service now scans 6,000 public sector bodies, detecting around 1,000 different types of vulnerabilities. When a risk is identified, teams receive clear guidance on how to resolve it.

The improvements include:

• DNS vulnerabilities fixed in 8 days, down from 50
• Other cyber vulnerabilities reduced from 53 days to 32 days
• 75% reduction in the backlog of critical issues
• Around 400 vulnerabilities are resolved every month

DNS attacks are particularly dangerous. They can redirect users to fake websites, steal sensitive data, or disrupt essential services such as NHS portals, GP systems, and government websites.

Given that the UK is one of the most targeted countries for cyber attacks, reducing response times is a major step forward. Recent incidents, including several cyber attacks in the UK in 2025, show how disruptive these threats can be.

But while faster detection helps, technology alone cannot solve the problem.

Why the New Government Cyber Profession Matters

Alongside the new monitoring system, the government has launched its first dedicated Cyber Profession to strengthen long-term cyber capability across the public sector.

The uplift in government action comes as new figures show the scale of threats facing businesses. Significant cyber incidents cost an average of £195,000, and half of all small businesses have suffered a cyber breach or attack in the last 12 months.  

The message is clear. Cyber resilience depends on skilled professionals. The National Audit Office has already warned that cyber skills shortages remain one of the biggest risks to government security.

For many people, understanding how to get into cybersecurity is the first step towards entering this growing field.

Building the Skills Behind the UK’s Cyber Defences

I speak to people every day who want to move into cybersecurity but aren’t sure where to start. News like this shows why the field is growing so quickly. Demand for cyber skills is rising across both public services and private industry, and the new government Cyber Profession signals a long-term need for trained specialists.

For anyone considering the field, the focus should be on building practical, recognised cybersecurity skills that employers trust. At Learning People, we help people do exactly that through industry certifications, dedicated career support, and access to our employer network.

If you’re thinking about a move into cyber security, speak to one of our Carer Consultants for expert advice on the next steps.