The National Audit Office (NAO) has published an update for the Committee of Public Accounts on the Government’s National Cyber Security Programme.
The Programme’s objectives include tackling cyber crime and making the United Kingdom one of the most secure places in the world to do business. The report found that the Government has made good progress in improving its understanding of the most sophisticated threats to national security. However, the level of understanding of threats to wider public services is varied.
While exports in UK cyber products and services have increased by 22 per cent between 2012 and 2013, progress in encouraging trade and exports has been slow, and, according to the NAO’s survey of stakeholders, this is the objective against which the government currently has the poorest performance.
Some progress has been made in encouraging businesses and citizens to mitigate risks, particularly in getting larger companies to take action. The Government has, however, had a limited impact in targeting SMEs, where it has struggled to communicate guidance in a way that meets their needs. The financial management and governance mechanisms are strong, and the Government is on track to spend the Programme’s budget of £860 million by March 2016. Overall, the NAO found that government continues to make good progress in the Programme, which is helping to build capability, mitigate risk and change attitudes. Cyber threats, however, continue to evolve and government must increase the pace of change in some areas to meet its objectives.
On the report, Hugh Boyes from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said: “While the Government’s investment in this area has increased the capability for the public sector, there is still much to be done to strengthen UK industry.
“The report highlights industry concerns about the confusing range of advice available and the lack of cyber security skills. These are valid concerns that need to be addressed. The current cyber security skills initiatives have been focused on providing the skills for individuals employed in cyber security roles. This is a short term solution which does not address the need to improve the security awareness and skills of everyone involved in the design, production and use of software-based systems. This requires significant investment in education and training at all levels in the UK to ensure that software is trustworthy and those involved in its development and maintenance are applying software engineering best practice.
“The recent interest in cyber security and cars highlights how this is an issue that extends far beyond our desktop and tablet computers.”
Industry demand for the cyber security skills needed to tackle cyber car crime and the other areas of our business and personal lives threatened by security issues is growing all the time, according to the engineering sector body. Recently, a free online course designed to inspire cyber-security people, supported by the Government, was launched.
The MOOC – which stands for Massive Open Online Course – has been developed with the Open University with support from the IET and is the first of its kind anywhere to gain Government support, say organisers. Visit: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-cyber-security.
