A report by the Government funded Cyber Security Knowledge Transfer Network (CSKTN) points out that UK computing students get no education or orientation on software security even at a basic level. They are supposed to design and develop new software applications, but are not taught how to incorporate security functionality.

This revelation came to light when CSKTN scrutinised 75 UK universities for their web material. Bill Whyte, author of the report and himself a security consultant, was surprised to find that only 20% of UK computing graduates get hardly any knowledge on software security and there are many who get no education at all. Without software security, computing markets stand exposed to threats of financial losses. It is therefore essential that software designers and developers be educated on about security.

The knowledge of software security should be made a compulsory element of the software design and development curriculum. CSKTN director Nigel Jones believes that the security aspect is not getting priority in the UK’s IT software development list.