Gordon Brown has addressed the threat of cyber attack in his inaugural National Security Strategy. He acknowledged the threat posed to the country’s Internet infrastructure by criminal or political factions as one of many security threats currently facing the UK.

The prime minister promised that the government will increase investment in technologies that protect against online threats such a denial of service attacks and espionage.

"I can confirm that to meet future security needs we have set aside funds to modernise our interception capability,” he said as he announced the strategy. “At GCHQ and in the secret intelligence service we are developing new technical capabilities to root out terrorism; and the new Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure set up last year will provide a higher level of protection against internet or cyber-based threats."

Guarding against these emerging threats will require input from the private sector and academia, he added. "We are inviting business, academics, community organisations, and military and security experts from outside government to join a new National Security Forum that will advise the recently constituted National Security Committee," said Brown.

The National Security Strategy paper itself, published this week by the Cabinet Office, reveals that the Internet poses a quandary for international security. While it is in the UK’s interest to promote freedom of speech and of information availability, an unchecked Internet can become a breeding ground for political and religious fundamentalism.

“We are committed to maximising the opportunities and benefits of the Internet, by protecting the freedom to develop and host new services, while also reducing the scope for terrorists and criminals to exploit instability, insecurity, conflict, and failed and failing states,” the paper reads.

See the March issue of Information Age for an analysis of the emerging security threat from China.

Further reading

Cyber assault The threat to the UK’s critical IT infrastructure from cyber terrorists and activists is growing

Only one in ten trusts government data handling

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