National Cyber Security Centre set to open in October

A new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will open in October to help safeguard organisations and infrastructure from cyber attacks. The centre was first announced in Chancellor George Osborne’s Spending Review in 2015. It has now been confirmed that Ciaran Martin, currently director general cyber at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), will lead the new centre, with Dr Ian Levy, currently technical director of cyber security at GCHQ, also joining as technical director. The NCSC will be based in London, with the remit of bringing the UK’s cyber expertise together to transform the way the country tackles cyber security issues, from terrorist threats to hacking groups to organised crime. One of the centre’s first tasks will be to work with the Bank of England to produce advice for the financial sector for managing cyber security effectively. Matthew Hancock, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, said: “In establishing the National Cyber Security Centre we are creating a body devoted to cyber security and this will transform the UK’s approach to an issue that affects us all. “This important work with the Bank of England is paramount to ensuring that businesses of all shapes and sizes understand the threats and what they can do to mitigate them. “We’ll do this by informing the entire business community and public sector about emerging threats, providing support when attacks happen and educating everyone on how best to stay safe online.” Robert Hannigan, director of GCHQ, said: “Given the industrial-scale theft of intellectual property from our companies and universities, as well as the numerous phishing and malware scams that waste time and money, the National Cyber Security Centre shows that the UK is focusing its efforts to combat the threats that exist online. “Ciaran will be an excellent chief executive who will ensure that the NCSC will continue the outstanding work done by all of the existing organisations to protect national security and our economic success.”