The government has announced plans to spend £1.9bn to defend the UK’s data, systems and networks from cyber attacks.
In the final report on delivery of its previous five year cyber security strategy (Cyber Security Strategy 2011-2016), the government said it would launch a new five year National Cyber Security Strategy later this year. This will set out the government’s vision for cyber security in 2021 and the steps needed to get there.
The government will invest £1.9bn as part of the strategy to “deter our adversaries, grow our cyber security sector and develop the critical capabilities that will make us a global leader in cyber security”.
Part of this spending will set up a a new National Cyber Security Centre to bring together the UK’s cyber expertise, and work with industry, academic and international partners to keep the UK secure in cyberspace. The centre will at as a single point of contact for government and a unified source of advice on cyber security for businesses of all sizes.
The government’s strategy will also include an “ambitious” cyber skills programme to increase significantly the number of cyber security experts in the UK and a programme to grow the UK’s cyber sector.
The minister responsible for the report, Matt Hancock minister for the Cabinet Office, told parliament: “Against a backdrop of increased threats we have improved the UK’s effort to enhance cyber security. But there is more to do. The 2015 National Security Strategy confirmed that cyber remains a Tier 1 threat to the UK’s economic and national security. As a result, the government will publish a new National Cyber Security Strategy this year, which will define our vision and ambition for the future. The government will further increase investment in cyber security to £1.9 billion over the next 5 years.”
Read the full report: The UK Cyber Security Strategy 2011-2016: Annual Report
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