about the cyber scheme

The Cyber Scheme exists to help make technical cyber security competence visible, measurable and recognised.

The Cyber Scheme is a UK cyber security assessment, professional registration and accreditation body focused on technical competence. We help individuals demonstrate capability, support organisations in evidencing professional standards, and provide assurance through recognised assessments, accreditation and workforce development initiatives.

Our work spans the full professional journey, from individuals entering the profession and developing practical skills, through to experienced practitioners seeking professional recognition, and organisations looking to strengthen workforce capability and demonstrate organisational credibility.

By bringing together assessment, professional registration, accreditation, training and workforce development, we help make cyber security competence visible, measurable and trusted.

What we do

Professional Registration

As a Licensed Body of the UK Cyber Security Council, we assess and recommend individuals for professional registration across multiple specialisms and title levels. Professional registration provides a recognised framework for demonstrating competence, commitment and ongoing professional development.

Technical Assessment

We design and deliver practical cyber security assessments that allow individuals to demonstrate competence against recognised standards. Our assessment portfolio includes entry-level, practitioner and specialist routes that support professional progression and industry recognition.

Accreditation

We operate accreditation programmes designed to help organisations demonstrate professional standards, workforce capability and organisational credibility. Accreditation provides assurance for customers, employers and stakeholders seeking confidence in the organisations they work with.

Training and Mentoring

We provide training, mentoring and assessment preparation to support the development of practical technical skills. These activities help individuals build capability and prepare for assessment, professional recognition and career progression.

Workforce Development

We help organisations understand current capability, identify skills gaps and support professional development through assessment pathways, training, mentoring, professional registration and workforce assurance activities.

Guidance and Sector Insight

We produce guidance, resources and practical information that help individuals and organisations understand professional standards, competence, assessment, accreditation and workforce development.

"I've been involved with The Cyber Scheme for a number of years and have seen the passion they have for improving the cybersecurity industry, not just as a business; each member of the team has a passion for what they do".

How we work

Everything we do is centred on competence.

We believe competence should be demonstrated rather than assumed, assessed rather than claimed, and recognised against clear and consistent standards. Our work combines professional standards, technical assessment, accreditation and workforce development to help individuals and organisations evidence capability with confidence.

By creating trusted routes for assessment, recognition and assurance, we support employers, practitioners, customers and stakeholders in making better-informed decisions about cyber security capability.

Partnerships and Sector Engagement

The Cyber Scheme works with government bodies, professional institutions, industry partners, employers, training providers and specialist communities to help strengthen standards, competence and assurance across the cyber security profession.

Many of the challenges facing the profession cannot be solved by a single organisation. Professional standards, workforce development, assessment frameworks and accreditation all rely on collaboration between those responsible for setting standards, assessing competence, developing talent and supporting organisations in practice. Our partnerships help ensure that the work we deliver remains relevant, credible and aligned with the needs of the profession.

Key partnerships

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

The National Cyber Security Centre plays an important role in shaping cyber security capability across the UK. The Cyber Scheme works with NCSC-aligned initiatives and assurance programmes that help organisations and professionals demonstrate competence against recognised standards.

This relationship helps ensure that assessments, professional development activities and assurance programmes remain relevant to the needs of employers, practitioners and government-backed schemes.

UK Cyber Security Council

The UK Cyber Security Council is the chartered professional body for cyber security and is responsible for setting professional standards across the profession. As a Licensed Body, The Cyber Scheme assesses and recommends individuals for professional registration across multiple specialisms and title levels.

Our work supports the Council’s objective of creating clear professional pathways, recognised standards and greater consistency in how competence is recognised across the cyber security profession.

IASME

IASME is a key partner in the delivery of nationally recognised cyber security assurance schemes. Through collaboration on initiatives such as Cyber Advisor and Cyber Essentials-related activities, we help support organisations seeking trusted guidance, recognised standards and practical assurance.

Together, we contribute to an ecosystem that helps businesses access qualified professionals and make informed decisions about cyber security support.

sector engagement

The Cyber Scheme actively engages with employers, consultancies, training providers, practitioners and wider industry stakeholders to understand emerging requirements, workforce challenges and evolving technical disciplines.

This engagement helps ensure that assessments remain current, professional standards remain relevant and development pathways continue to reflect the needs of the profession. It also allows us to bring practical industry insight into conversations about competence, assurance and workforce development.

Advisory activity

Our team contributes to discussions around professional standards, technical competence, workforce capability and assessment methodology across the cyber security sector.

We work with stakeholders from across industry and government to share practical expertise, support professionalisation initiatives and contribute to the ongoing development of standards, frameworks and assurance activities. Our focus is always on building greater clarity and confidence in what cyber security competence looks like in practice.

Accredited organisations

Accredited organisations are an important part of the wider professional ecosystem that The Cyber Scheme supports. These organisations demonstrate a commitment to recognised standards, professional competence and continual improvement.

Through accreditation, organisations help strengthen trust in cyber security services and contribute to a culture where capability can be evidenced rather than simply claimed. Accredited organisations also provide valuable insight into the practical challenges faced by employers, providers and practitioners across the sector.

Training providers

Training providers play a critical role in developing future cyber security professionals and supporting ongoing professional development. We work with organisations that share a commitment to practical skills, competence and professional standards.

Our focus is on ensuring that learning, assessment and professional recognition are connected. By linking development activities to recognised standards and assessment pathways, training becomes part of a wider journey towards demonstrated competence and professional growth.

How to contact us about partnership opportunities

We welcome discussions with organisations that share our commitment to professional standards, workforce development and cyber security assurance.

Whether you are interested in workforce initiatives, accreditation programmes, industry engagement, assessment development, training partnerships, research projects or collaborative activities, we would be pleased to hear from you. Contact the team with an outline of your proposal and we will direct your enquiry to the most appropriate person.

“The Cyber Scheme's dedication to raising standards and providing structured pathways for skills development plays a vital role in strengthening the UK’s cyber resilience.”

Join Our Newsletter

Please sign up for industry news, education resources and ongoing initiatives. We will also let you know about our exams and training provision, including additional dates as they are added. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Read some of our latest blogs and articles below

Tips from an Assessor

Kim Croft ChCSP, Live Service Lead, Security Incident Response Team at DWP, is an Assessor for the Incident Response specialism for The Cyber Scheme. Kim

Read More »