Insights on Cyber Security: A Ministerial Address
It is truly gratifying to join you all this evening.
I extend my gratitude to Nils for such a thoughtful introduction, particularly for recalling the extensive nuances of my title.
This occasion holds special significance for me; it marks my inaugural public address on cybersecurity since my recent appointment as Minister for the Digital Economy.
I can envisage no better audience than those present here tonight—the dedicated individuals who fortify our digital economy, ensuring its safety, resilience, and vitality.
As you are keenly aware, cybersecurity transcends mere technicalities. It serves as a catalyst for growth and innovation. Enterprises boasting robust cybersecurity frameworks enjoy the confidence to invest and evolve within a stable economic milieu.
Moreover, cybersecurity is the bedrock of our aspirations in science, technology, and innovation. Be it AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, or intelligent infrastructure, none of these advancements can function without the foundational element of trust, which in turn hinges on security.
The UK Cyber Security Sector
Let me reiterate the unwavering commitment of the government to the UK’s cyber security sector.
This sector is an integral component of our Industrial Strategy, characterized as a pioneering industry that not only safeguards our national interests but also fosters economic development, generates high-value employment opportunities, and elevates our global stature.
The UK’s cyber sector currently yields over £13 billion annually and directly employs more than 67,000 individuals within approximately 2,000 enterprises. Collectively, cybersecurity roles account for 143,000 jobs across the economy. This accomplishment is remarkable and attributable to each one of you here.
Nonetheless, we acknowledge that challenges remain. Consequently, we commissioned the Cyber Growth Action Plan earlier this year, which seeks to identify government and industry actionable steps to spur further expansion.
The plan delineates nine recommendations across three foundational pillars: culture, leadership, and place. It advocates for government-assisted stimulation of informed demand for cybersecurity, more lucid expectations regarding cyber risk reporting, and the development of regional hubs of cyber strength and specialization.
This initiative aims to facilitate the growth of successful enterprises, stimulate demand, and enhance public comprehension of cybersecurity’s crucial role in national resilience.
We will respond to the action plan in due course, actively collaborating with our forums—such as the Cyber Growth Partnership—to deliberate over the recommendations and their execution.
Meanwhile, I wish to highlight other efforts my department is actively advancing to bolster your businesses.
We are persistently investing in programs that encourage innovation. Our Cyber Runway initiative—the United Kingdom’s most expansive cyber accelerator—assists startups and scale-ups in securing funding, developing products, and pursuing international expansion.
Recently, we secured an additional £6 million to amplify support for cyber startups through the Cyber Runway framework.
Additionally, there is CyberASAP—our academic startup accelerator—which has already birthed 34 spinouts, created 76 new jobs, and attracted over £40 million in investment. These initiatives are instrumental in transmuting visionary concepts into commercial achievements.
As part of our Industrial Strategy, an extra £10 million has been allocated to commercialize cyber research via the CyberASAP program.
Nurturing growth is not solely the responsibility of government; each of you has a pivotal role. I recognize that many thriving cyber founders are now mentoring the next wave of startups.
Last week, an industry-led coalition convened to facilitate collaboration by bringing Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from various sectors together with cyber startups, fostering design partnerships. We will avail ourselves to support this endeavor in pursuit of identifying the next UK cyber unicorn.
We also acknowledge that the skills gap poses significant challenges. This evening, I wish to spotlight a new flagship initiative: TechFirst.
Launched by the Prime Minister during London Tech Week this past June, TechFirst is a £187 million initiative aimed at cultivating a sustainable domestic talent pipeline in technology.
Its objective is to engage one million young individuals with foundational skills in AI and cyber while assisting over 4,000 graduates and researchers, thereby linking skilled individuals with genuine employment prospects across the UK.
TechFirst builds upon the success of our existing CyberFirst program, to be executed in partnership with the industry. I encourage each of you—representatives of this sector—to engage actively.
Your contributions could encompass offering internships, mentorship opportunities, training placements, or aiding in local initiative design. Your involvement will be essential. Together, we can inspire the next generation and ensure that talent never becomes a barrier to advancement.
Resilience and the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
We must confront the realities of the threats we encounter.
Recent breaches at Jaguar Land Rover, Co-op, and M&S starkly illustrate the detrimental ramifications of cyber attacks. Such incidents disrupt supply chains, paralyze operations, and jeopardize livelihoods, with associated costs running into the hundreds of millions. These events underscore the notion that resilience is not merely optional; it is imperative.
This week, the government reached out to the UK’s foremost companies, urging them to elevate cyber security to a board-level concern and to fully leverage governmental support and guidance.
For the most vital and essential sectors of our economy, we are advancing further by proposing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
This forthcoming legislation aims to extend the scope of existing cyber regulations, incorporating more critical services, including managed service providers and essential suppliers.
The Bill will also augment the regulatory powers and furnish the government with tools to respond promptly to emerging threats. It represents a measured but resolute initiative, designed not only to safeguard the critical services upon which we all depend but to enhance cyber resilience throughout the UK’s economy.
The bill will be introduced when Parliamentary time permits. It has been meticulously crafted in collaboration with regulators, industry stakeholders, and many present this evening.
I would like to express my appreciation to techUK for its constructive engagement during this legislative development; your feedback has been invaluable.
I assure you that ample opportunities will arise for input on our implementation strategies, including suitable transition phases that will allow businesses to adapt to the imminent changes. Your continued feedback is immensely valuable.
This legislation seeks to bolster cyber resilience across pivotal services—the essential utilities that the public relies on every day, such as electricity, clean water, and the NHS.
However, the majority of UK businesses and organizations will not fall under the purview of the Cyber Bill, as we believe such a requirement would be disproportionate.
Nevertheless, the IT and services they depend on will become more resilient as a consequence of this legislation. Additionally, the support and complementary resources provided will ensure firms stand on a stronger foundation to safeguard their operations and mitigate disruptions.
We continue to collaborate with industry to catalyze action and elevate the uptake of cybersecurity measures.
I am eager to work collectively with you to ascertain how we can optimize assistance for businesses in leveraging the guidance and tools established by the government.
For instance, we recognize that the Cyber Essentials scheme is exceptionally efficacious. Organizations possessing a Cyber Essentials certificate are 92% less likely to file claims on their cyber insurance than their uncertified counterparts.
We are deploying considerable efforts to enhance the adoption of Cyber Essentials; however, how can we refine our approach?
Similarly, we unveiled a Cyber Governance Code of Practice earlier this year. This framework assists Boards and Directors in effectively managing cyber risks within their organizations, and it comes with complimentary training from the National Cyber Security Center. All larger organizations should be utilizing this resource.
How can we ensure that this happens? Shall we intensify our efforts?
New National Cyber Strategy
Many answers will emerge from a refreshed National Cyber Strategy, currently under development.
This new strategy will reflect the shifting threat landscape and the prospects afforded by emerging technologies. It will prioritize resilience and growth, with DSIT playing a pivotal role in directing its trajectory.
Collaborating across Whitehall and with industry stakeholders, we aim to ensure that it yields tangible results that mirror the strengths of our cyber ecosystem.
My sincere gratitude extends to everyone involved in this endeavor.
Conclusion
- We are steadfastly supporting the cyber sector, recognizing its critical role in our economy and national security.
- We are investing in growth, innovation, and talent, as a robust cyber ecosystem is foundational to all our endeavors.
- We are enhancing our cyber defenses because safeguarding the public and economy is imperative, especially in harnessing the potential of technological advancements such as AI.
- Finally, we encourage you to continue collaborating, for cybersecurity is inherently a collective effort. Your input can help shape the future, uplift young minds, and cultivate a secure, inclusive, and enduring cyber sector.
Source link: Miragenews.com.
