UK Sets Eyes On Becoming a Major Cyber-Force

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Following recent reports of cyber attacks by major international players like China and Russia, the UK has decided to take it’s cyber security abilities to the next level.  The government recently announced that it plans to invest £1.9 billion over the next five years in a new cyber defence plan, called the National Cyber Security Strategy, to prepare and fight back against cyber attacks in the future. Details of the investment were revealed by Chancellor Philip Hammond in a speech at Microsoft’s event in London. According to Hammond, the investment will also involve new partnerships with private and public organisations to develop technology. He explained: “Our new strategy will allow us to take even greater steps to defend ourselves in the cyber-space and to strike back when we are attacked”.

The sheer size of the investment makes it the largest fund that the UK has set aside for cyber security services, and it follows from another, relatively smaller one in October, when the Defence Secretary earmarked £265 million specifically for cyber vulnerability at the Ministry of Defence. These statements lay out the groundwork for a plan that was set in motion a year ago, with the government vowing to get more proactive in cyber security defence, making the National Cyber Security Strategy a monumental development.

According to thetechportal.com, Microsoft will be the most influential and involved company in the new strategy.  Cindy Rose, UK CEO of Microsoft, said in a statement: “The ever evolving tech-world holds enormous potential for organisations and individuals to generate new and exciting growth opportunities. However, there is a corresponding risk that as people increase their technology usage they also increase their exposure to cyber security threats”.

The UK government will be targeting investment in three main areas: Defence, Deter and Develop. The first will be about investing in its own systems and those of larger industries like energy and transport, the second will be about investment in law enforcement capabilities to fight cybercrime in the National Cyber Crime Unit, as well as more international partnerships. And finally, the third will be focused on education and future R&D.