Cabinet Minister Claims Cyber Security Is Economic Opportunity

Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, has claimed that not only is cyber security necessary, it is an essential feature and opportunity for the UK’s economic future.

Speaking at the official launch of the new computer emergency response team, CERT-UK, Maude claimed that emerging from the recession, Britain’s financial institutions must be “stronger, safer, more secure and more alert to risks than they were before.”

“CERT-UK is going to play an incredibly important role in ensuring that we have that firm, resilient foundation underpinning our economy. It’s crucial,” he said.

Maude noted that despite the potential threat the Internet poses, it is important not to lose sight of the way it has transformed people’s lives and will continue to do so.

He added that throughout history, criminals have always been attracted to any place where large amounts of people come together and it’s the same for the Internet.

However, said Maude, this does not make the web an inherently bad thing and by working to improve cyber security, the government is ensuring the net is a safe place where everyone can share the benefits.

UK Cannot Be Complacent

The Cabinet Office Minister concluded his speech by emphasising that while the creation of CERT-UK is of great importance, it is important to continue efforts to secure the UK from technological threats.

“We can never be complacent: we really can’t. But I think everyone involved with the Cyber Security Strategy can be proud of the progress we’ve made from what was essentially a standing start,” he said.

“Government can’t do this by itself. I think CERT-UK shows our intent on where we want to go: ever close coordination between government, business and academia to share insights and advice; better cooperation with our international partners,” Maude claimed.

Team Will See International Cooperation

The new response team was launched on Monday and will take the lead in coordinating the management of national cyber security incidents and will act as the UK central contact point for international counterparts in this field.

CERT-UK was established as part of the National Cyber Security Programme, alongside the Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP), which was launched last year.

The team will be working closely with government, industry and academia in a bid to enhance the country’s cyber resilience.

Information will be shared across the UK industry and academic computer emergency response teams in collaboration with national CERTs around the globe, which the government claims will help enhance Britain’s understanding of cyber threats.

“The launch of CERT-UK is a milestone in the development of the UK’s cyber security capabilities helping the UK to become more resilient,” claimed Chris Gibson, CERT-UK director.

“CERT-UK will build on existing arrangements for supporting the critical national infrastructure and incorporate the CISP which was launched last year and has proved extremely effective as a means of collaborating between industry and government,” he added.

In January, the government launched a Cyber Streetwise Campaign to urge citizens to take as much care with security online as they do offline. Despite this, an Ernst and Young director still claimed that Whitehall needed to invest more in cyber security awareness.

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