BAE : One-third of BAE Systems’ 2017 graduate intake to work in its cyber security business

This is almost one third of the 235 graduates being recruited to work across the Company's UK operation in 2017. The 80 cyber security graduates will join the Applied Intelligence business based at sites in London, Guildford and Leeds, whose employees support governments and businesses around the world defend themselves against the growing threat of digital crime, cyber-attacks, fraud and financial crime.

Today's announcement follows an online survey conducted by BAE Systems which found that 57 per cent of business heads surveyed said they had experienced a cyber-attack in the last year, despite believing the appropriate security controls were in place. BAE Systems' continued recruitment of the best IT, engineering and business graduates helps to sustain its pipeline of 33,000 talented employees in the UK who deliver a range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security and information technology solutions and support services.

The Rt Hon. Ben Gummer MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, who oversees the Government's cyber security strategy, said: 'Cyber-attacks are a reality and they are happening every day. The first duty of the government is to keep the nation safe. Any modern state cannot remain secure and prosperous without securing itself in cyberspace. So it is hugely encouraging to see such a drive on securing the skills and talent we will need to continue this fight in the future.'

Elsewhere across BAE Systems' UK operation, 77 graduates will be hired for its Maritime businesses based at Scotland, Portsmouth and Barrow-in-Furness. A further 54 graduates will be recruited for the Company's Military Air and Information business in Lancashire. Another 11 graduates will join Head Office. Nine graduates will join the Electronic Systems business in Rochester, Kent and four will join the Land Systems business to work at Telford in Shropshire and Glascoed in Wales.

Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director, Programmes and Support, BAE Systems, said: 'A healthy pipeline of science, technology, engineering and maths talent is absolutely vital to the future success of our businesses. Each year BAE Systems invests around £90m in a broad programme of education and skills initiatives, from world class employee training programmes to a nationwide schools roadshow run in partnership with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. All the graduates joining BAE Systems in 2017 will have unrivalled opportunities ahead of them, playing a crucial part in developing, building and supporting the cutting-edge products that will help safeguard national security for years to come.'

Currently, BAE Systems is training around 600 graduates in its UK businesses.

A breakdown of the 235 graduate vacancies available at BAE Systems in the UK is as follows:

• Applied Intelligence: 80 vacancies.
• Military Air and Information: 54 vacancies.
• Submarines: 36 vacancies.
• Maritime Naval Ships: 21 vacancies.
• Maritime Services: 20 vacancies.
• Head Office: 11 vacancies.
• Electronic Systems: 9 vacancies.
• Land: 4 vacancies.