International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox has launched a new Cyber Security Export Strategy to bolster defence capabilities within the UK and outside the country.
Cyber attacks continue to pose a significant threat to NATO countries, multinational corporations and UK-based businesses. Now, the government is urging organisations across the UK and its allies to shore up their security protocols.
It is thought that the Cyber Security Export Strategy will enable Britain’s 800 cyber security professionals to export their expertise, allowing them to bid for and win high profile contracts with international buyers.
UK cyber exports amounted to an astounding £1.5 billion in 2016 and global demand for protective software continues to grow, with total spend expected to exceed £759 billion by 2021.
“Recent events show that the UK faces a diverse range of threats from hostile state actors. So in an increasingly digital world, it’s vital that we improve our cyber capabilities, which are crucial for national security and prosperity,” said Dr Fox.
“The strategy I am publishing today will support UK companies to export our world-leading cyber security expertise, which will help strengthen our capabilities, and protect our country and our allies from those who wish us harm.”
The Cyber Security Export Strategy forms part of ongoing National Cyber Security Strategy, which contributed £1.9 billion of investment to cyber security initiatives during 2016. This export strategy, authored in collaboration with wider industry, also includes robust export control regimes to safeguard human rights.
The launch itself has received the backing of ADS – the UK trade association for the security sector – who said that the measures were an important first-step to helping UK cyber specialists extend their reach to exciting new markets.
According to Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of ADS: “Public and private organisations in the UK and around the world are facing rapidly evolving cyber security threats. In the UK we have a diverse range of companies able to provide world-leading expertise and innovation to combat these threats.
“The UK’s cyber security exports are already worth £1.5 billion a year and we expect this area of activity to continue offering the strongest export growth in the security sector in the years ahead. This new strategy announced today can help the sector continue to grow, make a greater contribution to national prosperity, and protect the UK and our allies from threats in cyberspace.”
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