National Cyber Advisory Board meets for the second time

The National Cyber Advisory Board has met for the second time at CyberUK in Belfast to discuss how to support the delivery of the National Cyber Strategy.

The meeting was chaired by deputy prime minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, and chief information officer at Lloyds Banking Group UK, Sharon Barber.

The board discussed the UK’s achievements within cyber since the launch of the National Cyber Strategy and how it can further support the successful implementation of the National Cyber Strategy by challenging and validating current government assumptions on cyber. The board also considered how it can inform the government’s top level approach to ransomware, which remains a tier one national security threat.

The next meeting is scheduled for October, where the board expects to announce progress and action in the three areas of priority focus. These areas are: building cyber skills throughout the economy by introducing better recruitment practices; strengthening the security of supply chains; and increasing businesses’ awareness of the risks posed by cyber attacks to drive greater action on cyber resilience.

Deputy prime minister and co-chair of the Board, Oliver Dowden, said: "My conversations with businesses make clear that in today’s interconnected world, security and prosperity go hand in hand. That’s one of the reasons why the National Cyber Advisory Board is central to our National Cyber Strategy.

"Only by working together can we combat the evolving threat posed by criminals, hacktivists, and foreign states, and ensure that the UK remains one of the most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world.

Co-chair of the Board and chief security officer at Lloyds UK, Sharon Barber, said: "The second meeting of the National Cyber Advisory Board demonstrates the value of cooperation between the government and businesses. Working together to combat the shared threats we face helps to ensure the UK remains a safe place to invest and do business.

"The Board encourages businesses to get involved with one of the many brilliant initiatives taking place across industry to strengthen our national cyber ecosystem and build the UK’s cyber resilience."

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