Integrated Review to prioritise UK’s cyber capabilities

The government has said that this week’s Integrated Review will commit to a new, full spectrum approach to the UK’s cyber capability – keeping our people safe, staying ahead of our enemies and improving the lives of the British people.

Our ability to detect, disrupt and deter our adversaries while taking advantage of the revolution in the use of smart and cyber technology is set to be dramatically enhanced by commitments in the Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy, which will include a new cyber strategy to create a cyber ecosystem fit for the future, with more investment in education, partnerships with industry and integration across our defence and intelligence services.

The government is expected to announce a new National Cyber Force home in the North of England, establishing a ‘cyber corridor’ across the region. It is hoped that this will drive growth in the tech, digital and defence sectors outside of London and help create new partnerships between government, the sector and universities in the region, placing it in the international centre of cutting-edge developments to keep our people safe.

The National Cyber Force was created last year to transform the UK’s capacity to conduct targeted offensive cyber operations against terrorists, hostile states and criminal gangs. It draws together personnel from both defence and the intelligence agencies under one unified command for the first time.

Seeking ahead of the publication of the review, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Cyber power is revolutionising the way we live our lives and fight our wars, just as air power did 100 years ago. We need to build up our cyber capability so we can grasp the opportunities it presents while ensuring those who seek to use its powers to attack us and our way of life are thwarted at every turn. Our new, full-spectrum approach to cyber will transform our ability to protect our people, promote our interests around the world and make the lives of British people better every day.”