News broken that the Government launched the new Interim Cyber Security Science And Technology Strategy – with the Government’s focus on how technologies can disrupt existing business models and make our economies more productive, this new strategy focuses on how the UK can stay ahead of the cyber threat and make the right policy decisions that adapt to the changing tech landscape. IT security experts commented below.
Raj Samani, Chief Scientist and Fellow at McAfee:
In both the Autumn Budget and the newly announced Industrial Strategy, the Government outlined its mission to invest in the development and adoption of emerging technologies to bring British industry to the fore of these new markets and support productivity growth across various sectors. The new Interim National Cyber Science and Technology Strategy recognises that, alongside such commitments to innovation, building and supporting a strong cybersecurity sector will be crucial to supporting both security and economic growth. Because while emerging technologies present significant opportunity, when the development, roll-out and management is not secure by design, the risks can quickly outweigh the benefits.
Chris Campbell, Solution Architect at Veracode:
With over two-thirds of medium and large British firms having identified a cybersecurity breach or attack over the past 12 months, it is important that alongside the Government’s commitments to invest in the development and roll-out of new emerging technologies that due consideration is given to the added cybersecurity risk of an increasingly software-driven economy.
Ensuring that the UK has both the scientific and technological capability and forward thought on policy needed to stay ahead of the cybersecurity threats to government, national infrastructure and businesses will be key to achieving Digital Minister Matt Hancock’s vision for the UK to be the safest place do business online.
