Forces can sign up to send their officers on courses run by IT firm’s training scheme

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has agreed a partnership with Cisco that could see the IT networking vendor provide cybersecurity training to tens of thousands of officers.

Courses will be offered to policewomen and men throughout the UK via the company’s Cisco Networking Academy scheme. The training programme already works with various public agencies, including offering courses in libraries across the country.

The partnership with the NPCC means that police forces will be able to sign up for their officers to receive education on the threat landscape and security measures.

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Andy Beet, futures lead of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Data Communications Group, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Cisco Networking Academy. By joining the programme, forces can access training designed to raise awareness and increase their understanding of cybercrime and cyberthreats, while also gaining insights into the procedures used to defend networks. 

He added: “It’s important for all police officers to understand cybersecurity as fully as possible; by doing so they can develop their knowledge in this increasingly important area, improving security in both their professional and personal lives.”