WIREDGOV

On Friday 18 March Matt Hancock, The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, announced that the new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will be launching in October. Based in London, the NCSC hopes to ensure that citizens, public and private sector organisations and the UK’s critical national infrastructure remains safer online.

The UK faces huge threats of cyber-attacks from states, serious crime gangs, hacking groups and terrorists. As part of the Government’s new National Cyber Security strategy, the NCSC will be a critical asset in the UK’s evolving national security climate. According to Robert Hannigan, the Director of GCHQ, the centre will show “that the UK is focusing its efforts to combat the threats that exist online.”

Headed by Ciaran Martin (currently Director General Cyber at GCHQ) the NCSC will, as one of its first tasks, work with the Bank of England and produce advice for the financial sector for managing cyber security effectively, helping to ensure that “businesses of all shapes and sizes understand the threats and what they can do to mitigate them.”

The NCSC will not just be restricted to helping the financial services sector, however. It will also raise awareness of government intent around cyber, undertake dialogue that shapes service delivery and demonstrate serious commitment to listen and develop sustainable engagement channels with the UK cyber security ecosystem.

Clearly this shows the UK’s commitment of tackling the big issue of staying safe online and helping us to understand these immediate threats. techUK looks forward to working with Ciaran and the NCSC in order to help develop our cyber capabilities.

Further information about the centre can be found here