U.K. to centralize cybersecurity functions
Following President Obama’s cybersecurty initiative, the U.K. government will move to centralize cyber security functions in Whitehall as part of an on-going major review of U.K. cybersecurity
Secret operations currently carried out by parts of the U.K. intelligence and security services will be centralized in Whitehall as part of an on-going major review of cybersecurity, according to a report. The Cabinet Office is due to publish the U.K. version of Barack Obama’s cybersecurity strategy before the summer Parliamentary recess, which begins in late July. Obama last month announced a new cyber tsar role and agency to oversee efforts to prepare for and respond to attacks by enemy states and organized criminals.
The United Kingdom is now set to follow suit, according to the Guardian’s David Hencke. Officials aim to centralize national cybersecurity strategy under a new high profile umbrella agency. Currently, the Ministry of Defense, Home Office, MI5, MI6, and GCHQ share responsibility for protecting critical UK online communications, and work mostly in the shadows. The proposal will be the centerpiece of the government’s updated National Security Strategy, it’s reported.
Cybersecurity has quickly risen up the political and policy agenda in the last eighteen months. A crippling attack on Estonia, allegedly sponsored by the Kremlin — which also launched cyber attacks during last year’s conflict with Georgia — has helped drive policy initiatives on the issue, on both sides of the Atlantic. Officials also fear attacks from China.
The European Commission is now encouraging member states to cooperate on digital war games, to simulate attacks from outside the bloc. Commissioners have suggested a European cyber security tsar should be appointed. The Financial Times reports that the Commission also wants tougher penalties for cyber crime offenses, although it has no power to impose them.
