British Plan To Become A ‘Global Cyber Power’ In 2022

The British government has laid out its plans to become a “global cyber power” in 2022 in a new policy document from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). 

The NCSC’s Report said the next year will see an “advance” in cyberspace within the nation and its workforce and the UK will support the industries and the technologies which are vital to developing cyber power. 

Britain intends to use diplomacy to advance the UK’s geopolitical influence by shaping international standards, and increasing British exports.

It reads: “The strategy builds on the significant progress made on cyber over the last five years which has seen the UK cyber security sector grow rapidly, with over 1,400 businesses generating revenues of £8.9 billion last year, supporting 46,700 skilled jobs, and attracting significant overseas investment.

Through the strategy, the Government is calling on all parts of society to play their part in reinforcing the UK’s economic and strategic strengths in cyberspace. 

This means more diversity in the workforce, levelling up the cyber sector across all UK regions, expanding our offensive and defensive cyber capabilities and prioritising cyber security in the workplace, boardrooms and digital supply chains. Government minister Steve Barclay, said: “The new National Cyber Strategy transforms how the UK will advance its national interests in cyberspace and is a major milestone following the publication of the Integrated Review earlier this year. It sets out a clear vision for building cyber expertise in all parts of the country, strengthening our offensive and defensive capabilities and ensuring the whole of society plays its part in the UK’s cyber future, and comes with record funding to match.”

Indeed, diversity and inclusion are key drivers in the plans. The coming year will see a new adult scheme “which will ensure that people from all backgrounds have access to these high skill, high priority jobs.

The NCSC will also support the Cyber Runway scheme which aims to support 107 innovators in growing and develop their business, with the majority of member companies outside of London and the south east of England and a further 45% led by women and 52% run by founders from black and minority ethnic groups. “Funding for these growth and skills programmes will be reoriented away from large, often London-based initiatives to a regionally delivered model which will mean more jobs and better opportunities for people across the UK,” the release adds.

Alongside a key focus on diversity, the government also plans to improve cyber education for young people with its Cyber Explorers scheme, which includes an online learning platform.

The plans include increasing funding for law enforcement in tackling cyber crime, more investment in the National Cyber Force, and expanding security assurance agency NCSC’s research capabilities, including the opening of a new hub in Manchester. 

Anthony Gilbert, threat intelligence expert at Bridewell Consulting, commented  “Unless we all buy in to cybersecurity, there will always be gaps to be exploited, so developing young minds and giving people the skills and knowledge to be cyber secure is vital in proving our defense against malicious cyber activity...  the plan focuses heavily on developing the skills of the future through greater awareness and training in young people, however, it has neglected the huge skills gap we have now.

Government agencies will be required to  implement the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill to enforce minimum security standards in all new consumer-marketed smart products. Among other new rules, this will prohibit default passwords from being supplied for consumer IoT devices such as cameras and broadband routers. 

Gov.UK:        Gov.UK:        UK Cyber Security Council:       Portswigger:       Sky:  

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