UK Announces Cyber Plans To Combat Russia And China

Highlighting a “clash of values” with Russian and China, the UK has today launched its new National Cyber Strategy, aiming to improve cyber skills and increase resilience.

There’s to be more funding for law enforcement to allow the targeting of criminals to be ramped up, along with increasing investment in the National Cyber Force, which combats international cyber attacks.

“The National Cyber Strategy builds on the country’s strong foundations in cyber security that GCHQ’s work has been part of, particularly through the NCSC. But it goes beyond that. It brings together the full range of cyber activities, from skills to communities, and to the use of offensive cyber capabilities through the newly established National Cyber Force,” says Sir Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ.

“It shows how the UK can build capacity across the country to continue to prosper from the opportunities of cyberspace. And, as a leading responsible cyber power, can build alliances with democratic partners around the world to protect a free, open and peaceful cyberspace.”

Meanwhile, the research capabilities of GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre’s research capabilities are to be boosted, including the creation of a new applied research hub in Manchester.

There are plans to implement the new Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill to enforce minimum security standards in all new consumer smart products.

And there will be more investment in public sector cyber security, with the aim of ensuring that key public services remain resilient to evolving threats.

“Cybercrime ruins lives and facilitates further crimes such as fraud, stalking, and domestic abuse. Billions of pounds are lost each year to cybercriminals who steal or hold personal data to ransom and who disrupt key public services or vital sectors of the national economy,” says home secretary Priti Patel.

“This strategy will significantly improve the government’s response to the ever-changing threat from cybercrime and strengthen law enforcement’s response in partnership with NCSC and the National Cyber Force.”

The government hopes to involve the private sector through the creation of a new National Cyber Advisory Board (NCAB), bringing together senior leaders from the private and third sectors to “challenge, support and inform” the government’s approach to cyber.

Similarly, a National Laboratory for Operational Technology Security will involve industry and academia.

“This ground-breaking strategy will help secure the UK’s position as a leading cyber power and ensure people right across the country have the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online,” says minister for media, data and digital infrastructure Julia Lopez.