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George Osborne Announces Increased Funding to Enhance the UK's Cyber Security
techUK welcomes the Chancellor's commitment to working with industry in order to protect the UK's national and economic security.
Yesterday, the Chancellor George Osborne has announced a bold range of measures to enhance the UK's cyber security, setting aside £1.9bn to deliver a series of initiatives to protect the economy and infrastructure, grow cyber companies, and deter adversaries. techUK warmly welcomes the new strategy and is committed to working with the government to realise the vision.
techUK has been strongly advocating for the government to step up its commitment to cyber security strategy, through the SDSR process and elsewhere, and we are pleased to see that a number of the recommendations made by our members, not least the increase in funding and the creation of a central coordinating body for cyber security, have been adopted by the government.
Speaking at GCHQ, Osborne highlighted the dangers posed by states, terrorists and criminals to the UK's way of life and interests. He outlined that the funding will be focused towards the creation of a new National Cyber Centre, bringing together the UK's leading cyber experts, and increased funding for the National Crime Agency's National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU).
Osborne also recognised the importance of cyber start-ups and the development of a cyber-security ecosystem to accelerate their growth, something techUK has called for in the past. The two new cyber innovation hubs, one based in the South West, are designed to support growth in the cyber sector and maintain the UK's cutting edge capabilities. As the recently launched Cyber Growth Partnership Exchange techmap shows, there is already a thriving network of cyber SMEs in the area. Other nascent networks exist elsewhere in the UK and we will work with the government to identify the most suitable locations.
techUK also welcomes the initiatives to address the skills gaps in the cyber sector, an issue we have been championing for many years. Thus, the move to develop an Institute for Coding and deliver further apprenticeships for cyber security specialists are wlecomed.
Commenting on the announcement yesterday James Murphy, techUK's Associate Director for Defence & Security, said:
"Today's announcements of enhanced funding and other initiatives are a clear indication that the government has grasped the singular importance cyber security to the UK's interests."
"What was once considered a niche area in the wider national security debate has emerged front and centre in the government's priorities. As the Chancellor made clear, it is only with the support of the world class cyber companies based in the UK that his vision will be realised. Therefore we call on the government to work in partnership with industry to make our nation the most cyber capable in the world."
