‘Cyber Reserve’ to help tackle computer attacks

Cyber specialists are to be recruited by the UK government to make up a “Cyber Reserve” force to help with cyber security threats.

Run by the Ministry of Defence, it will allow the armed forces to use the expertise from those in the cyber field to support work protecting the country against the growing threat of cyber attack.

Minister Francis Maude said help was needed with “critical” work in combating online crime. The scheme’s details will be unveiled next year.

The announcement came in the first annual update of the Government’s cyber security strategy, during which Maude promised efforts to make the UK “one of the most secure places in the world to do business in cyber space”.

He said the coalition government was looking to “move towards the establishment of a UK National CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team)”, to act as a “focus point for international sharing of technical information”.

Maude also said: “Working with the private sector to improve awareness of the need for better cyber security continues to be a priority. We are now focusing our efforts on making sure that the right incentives and structures are in place to change behaviour in a sustainable way.

“Government departments and agencies are working with professional and representative bodies to ensure the consideration of cyber security becomes an integral part of corporate governance and risk-management processes.”

The government also wants to train more students with cutting-edge skills at tackling online crime. A degree course module on the subject is being piloted at De Montfort University, the University of Worcester and Queens University Belfast.

Maude continued: “We are constantly examining new ways to harness and attract the talents of the cyber security specialists that are needed for critical areas of work. To this end, the MoD is taking forward the development of a ‘Cyber Reserve’, allowing the services to draw on the wider talent and skills of the nation in the cyber field.

“A detailed announcement will follow in 2013”, concluded Maude.