UK’s National Cyber Security Centre: Why It Matters

On Monday, 3 October 2016, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in London opened its digital doors and launched operations. The government has determined that cyber is a Tier One threat to national and economic security, and given the many technological challenges the world now faces, such as terrorism and hacking, the Centre will focus on giving both private and public sectors the power to proactively handle these challenges. It comes as a part of the £1.9 billion National Cyber Security strategy, which is set to take place over the next five years.

According to the NCSC prospectus, Matthew Hancock, minister of the Cabinet Office, says, "The Centre will be the bridge between industry and government, simplifying the current complex structures, providing a unified source of advice and support, including on managing incidents. It will be a single point of contact for the private and public sectors alike". By bringing together the country's experts on cyber security, the government can provide have a reliable resource for all.

The Centre has four main objectives:

• Understand the cyber security environment, share knowledge, and use this knowledge to identify systemic vulnerabilities
• Reduce risks
• Respond to serious incidents and reduce harm
• Nurture national cyber security capability and provide leadership

Because of the NCSC's particular focus on facilitating a relationship between industry and the government, they plan to collaborate with members of the private and public sector to best approach cyber security. Maintaining a dialogue helps to keep all up-to-date on the latest threats and risks. People should be mindful that the Centre is a major resource for them.

One of the first tasks for the Centre is to work with the Bank of England to provide bespoke, customised advice to the financial sector and other critical organisations. Another important aspect upon which they will focus is intellectual property, especially from companies and universities. By giving consultations to the private sector about these critical issues, the Centre ensures that firms are knowledgeable about threats and taking extra steps for security while not sacrificing their other business interests. Businesses are incredibly interrelated, and all businesses utilise technology to some extent. The focus on high-risk industries can bring all businesses more peace of mind that their information is safe.

The development of the NCSC is a critical step in bringing the UK's cyber security up-to-date. Collaboration allows them to take a holistic approach that encompasses many factors like business interests. Protecting the private sector helps the UK's economic welfare, and protecting the public sector means that the nation is safe and can protect its people. A robust security system can make all aspects of life that much safer. Utilising the National Cyber Security Centre can help businesses and citizens stay updated on how they can better protect their company and personal information. For more information, please visit the website.