CyberFirst delivers £41.4m in social value: A blueprint for the digital sector

CyberFirst, a pioneering initiative led by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), offers a shining example of how the technology sector can lead in social impact creation.

Their latest report, developed in collaboration with Social Value Business, highlights social value worth £41.4m in 2024-25. It’s a compelling read, showcasing best practice in measuring, creating, and delivering social value.

With the introduction of the new Procurement Act in February, the need for the tech sector to demonstrate tangible social value is more critical than ever. Social value creation is a precondition for winning work with national and local authorities and is vital to ensuring the longer-term sustainability of the sector.

CyberFirst is renowned for its commitment to fostering the next generation of cyber professionals, equipping young talent with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in the digital economy. The report highlights CyberFirst’s significant contributions to social mobility, diversity, and community development. Women remain underrepresented in technology careers; through its Girls’ Competition, the programme is inspiring more young women to explore the industry.

Highlights from the Executive Summary include:

£41.4m in social value creation
£5.94 Social Return on Investment (SROI) for every £1 invested
From September 2024, 30,000 students from 274 schools participating in the CyberFirst programme
From September 2024, 9,527 hours of volunteering contributed

The report also underscores CyberFirst’s alignment with the National Cyber Strategy, ensuring that the UK remains secure and resilient in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Capturing the stakeholder experience

Importantly, the evaluation conducted by Social Value Business captures the voices of stakeholders—including students, schools, academia, local authorities, and industry partners—illustrating the far-reaching impact of CyberFirst’s initiatives. Through rigorous measurement, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven insights, the collaboration serves as a benchmark for excellence in social impact reporting.

Richard Dickins, MD at Social Value Business says: “It’s been a pleasure for us to map, quantify and illustrate the transformational impact of CyberFirst. Through strategic investment and collaboration, the programme is delivering economic, social, and technological progress.”

For those looking to integrate social value more deeply into their business strategies, CyberFirst offers a model worth exploring. It’s a testament to how meaningful partnerships and collaborative delivery models can drive industry-wide change.

Read the CyberFirst Social Value Report 2025