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The Centre will become a leading global resource for understanding how to achieve effective cyber security, and will work with the UK and other countries to deliver a safer cyber space. This announcement comes ahead of the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting on 10 and 11 April 2013.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy aims to build the capacity we need in the UK to tackle cyber-threats, ensure resilience and cooperate internationally. In cyberspace, we are all interdependent and often only as secure as the weakest link. All countries need the capacity to tackle cyber threats to protect their own and others’ online interests.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

The new Global Centre for Cyber Security and Capacity Building in Oxford University’s Martin School will coordinate global work on cyber threats and cyber policies which will help protect the UK’s security. We are dedicating £500,000 per year to this centre to be a beacon of expertise and put the UK at the forefront of cyber policy development.

There is wide international agreement that we need to increase global efforts to raise cyber security. To support this, the UK has committed a £2m fund per year from the National Cyber Security Programme. The establishment of the Global Centre for Cyber-Security Capacity Building is a key element of the UK contribution to these international efforts. Its research will help define global priorities for capacity building and it will work with a wide range of partners including other Governments, international organisations, and the private sector, to ensure increased and more effective efforts against the wide range of cyber issues and threats.

Ian Goldin, Director of the Oxford Martin School and Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford said:

The Oxford Martin School’s purpose is to address critical challenges of the future. We are convinced that integrated thinking on cyber security is required to address these challenges. We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the Cyber Capacity Centre within our interdisciplinary community at the University of Oxford. Sadie Creese, Professor of Cyber Security, will be heading the new Centre”.

Francis Maude, Minister for Cyber Security in the Cabinet Office, said:

‘Capacity’ includes having comprehensive national programmes and the policies, cooperation, skills and workforce, technology and expertise to tackle online threats and reduce harm, while ensuring cyberspace supports innovation, economic growth and social benefits. The range and depth of capacity required here and in other countries is considerable.

Martin Borrett, Director of the IBM Institute for Advanced Security Europe, said:

The Cyber Security Capacity Centre initiative is an exceptionally timely and important contribution to the activities of the global community seeking to secure cyberspace. The IBM Institute for Advanced Security Europe and our international operations look forward to working with Oxford and their partners to ensure a safe and sustainable cyberspace for all.

Further Information

Read more about the UK government’s work keeping the UK safe in cyberspace

Find out more about the Oxford Martin School

Further information on the UK Presidency of G8

Follow the twitter channel for the UK Presidency of G8 @G8 or follow #G8UK

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