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UK Cyber Security Strategy

What is the UK Cyber Security Strategy?

Named ‘most internet-based major economy’ in the G20 (according to a report by Boston Consulting Group), the UK’s Internet-related market is already valued at £82 billion a year. For this reason, the UK Government’s 2010 National Security Strategy recognised the risk of cyber-attack as a Tier 1 Threat.

The UK Cyber Security Strategy published in November 2011 outlined the UK Government’s plans to address the cyber threat and also to "make the UK one of the safest places to do business online".

A year into the Government’s four-year programme, Cabinet Office Minister, Francis Maude, asserted that “a great deal has already been accomplished in our aim of protecting UK interests in cyberspace and making the UK one of the safest places to do business online.”

While this progress is encouraging in the on-going fight against cyber-crime, the fact remains that private and public sector organisations continue to face the threat of persistent and potentially devastating cyber-attacks. As a result, the UK Government is embarking on the next phase of its National Cyber Security Programme to further strengthen the UK’s cyber capabilities.

Looking ahead, the Government aims to “increase momentum across the UK at varying levels and across all sectors in addressing a wide range of cyber security threats”, and encourage industry’s full participation.

How is the Government driving the UK Cyber Security Strategy?

When launching its Cyber Security Strategy in November 2011, the UK Government allocated £650m of funding over four years to establish a National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) to strengthen the UK’s cyber capability. Amongst the key activities to be included will be setting up a new Cyber Crime Unit by 2013 and the creation of a new Joint Cyber Unit hosted by GCHQ.

To date, in terms of tackling cyber-crime, positive results include the Police Central eCrime Unit (PCeU) exceeding its four-year performance target in the first year, preventing £538m of harm, at a return on investment of £72 harm averted for every pound invested. Meanwhile, Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has repatriated over 2.3 million items of compromised card payment details to the financial sector in the UK and internationally since 2011.

In the area of improving the UK’s cyber resilience, investment has been made across GCHQ, The Security Service, MOD, and Government departments to improve the ability to detect and respond to cyber threats. This includes

Additionally, focus has been put on building the UK's cyber security awareness and guidance, skills and capability, impacting Information Assurance (IA) and Cyber Security professionals through the CESG Certification for IA Professionals scheme, dedicated cyber research, and initiatives aimed at schools and universities.

How is Vega supporting Cyber Security objectives?

As a dedicated member of UK defence and security sector, Vega is fully committed to continuing to work alongside key UK stakeholders to meet the aspirations of the UK Cyber Security Strategy.

We have an established track record of working across government and industry, providing strategic advice and technological expertise to ensure the integrity of systems and the secure transfer of data. Our range of cyber security related capabilities sees the Company providing solutions ranging from independent strategic advice to managing international computer incident response capability.