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The Government recently published its progress report one year after the publication of the Cyber Security Strategy.

The Strategy, launched in November 2011, provided Government with a framework and objectives in tackling cyber threats.  A year on from its publication, transformation continues at pace. Government is:

• working to improve cyber awareness and risk management amongst UK business;
• bolstering cyber security research, skills and education;
• tackling cyber crime in order to maintain the confidence needed to do business on the internet;
• deepening our national sovereign capability to detect and defeat high-end threats;
• ensuring robust and resilient UK systems and networks; and
• helping to shape international dialogue to create and support an open, secure and vibrant cyberspace.

In highlighting the year’s achievements, Minister with oversight of the Cyber Security Strategy, Francis Maude, said:

We have seen strong progress this year on cyber security.  The Strategy has given government direction and purpose.  Unprecedented partnerships with the private sector, academia continue to improve awareness, skills and capability.  £650 million of new funding spread across key departments and agencies is strengthening how we address cyber threats.  Serious investment makes sure we have the capacity to deal with the increasing volume and sophistication of online crime. 

Addressing the growing threat of cyber crime, Home Office Security Minister James Brokenshire said:

The internet is vital for the UK’s economic prosperity, national security and our way of life. It brings many opportunities for businesses and people, but also threats from cyber crime, which must be addressed.  The creation of the National Cyber Crime Unit as part of the National Crime Agency will strengthen the national response to the most serious, complex and organised crime.

The past year has created an increasing momentum across the UK across all sectors.  Setting out the Government’s priorities for the coming year, Francis Maude said:

Looking forward, we are clear that there is still much work to do.  We will continue the work that is underway whilst constantly assessing it against priorities, taking into account new and emerging threats.

Recently as part of its plans for the coming year the Government announces:

• its intention to establish the first UK national CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) to co-ordinate the national response to cyber incidents
• the establishment of a new joint ‘Cyber Growth Partnership’ between industry and Government aimed at boosting the UK’s global market position in cyber security products and services.  Central to this will be a high level group which will identify how to support the growth of the UK Cyber security industry, with an emphasis on increasing exports.
• the development of a military Cyber Reserve by MOD to harness and attract the talents of cyber security specialists.
• an initiative with the Institution of Engineering and Technology to ensure that all software engineering degree courses contain a mandatory module on cyber security from 2015.
• Government support for the development of organisational standards for cyber security so consumers can identify those businesses with good cyber security practices and firms who are good at this can make it a differentiator in the marketplace.
• the development of a permanent information-sharing environment for industry and Government called UK CISP (Cyber Information Sharing Partnership) to be launched in January 2013.
• further initiatives to increase public awareness, including using HMRC’s channels of communications with business and the public, and building on the work of initiatives such as Get Safe Online.org and campaigns by the National Fraud Authority.

Further details on forward plans are available here.

Notes for editors

Summary of the strategy first year

The Cyber Security Strategy set out our approach to tackling these threats:

1. To tackle cyber crime and to be one of the most secure places in the world to do business in cyber space;
2. To be more resilient to cyber attacks and better able to protect our interests in cyber space;
3. To have helped shape an open, stable and vibrant cyberspace which the UK public can use safely and that supports open societies;
4. To have the cross-cutting knowledge, skills and capabilities the UK needs to underpin these other objectives.

Further information on progress so far and next steps to deliver the Strategy are set out here.