Summary: The Ministry of Defence has announced a new partnership with major UK contractors in the latest move to increase UK security against online threats and cyber warfare.
The MOD said the partnership could promote the sharing of intelligence about the latest cyber threats.
Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, described the threat of cyber attacks as a “gunpowder” moment and said protection against them was vital to the defence of the entire UK.
The Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP) includes the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the MOD and companies including BAE Systems, BT, Cassidian, CGI, Hewlett Packard, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, Selex ES and Thales UK.
Mr Dunne said: “I’m absolutely delighted by the level of commitment shown by the participating companies in helping us to build our national resilience against cyber attack, and I look forward to more of our key contractors coming on board.
“This is a clear demonstration that government and industry can work together – sharing information, experience and expertise – to make sure we do everything we can to protect these critical networks, ensuring that the business of defence is robustly protected.”
He said the MOD, as well as other government departments and private companies, were regularly targeted by criminals and foreign intelligence services trying to disrupt operations, corrupt systems and steal information.
He said the DCPP would bring together nine of the MOD’s largest contractors in order to raise awareness of cyber security as an issue; exchange information on threats and vulnerabilities; and drive up the standards of cyber security throughout the supply chain.
Organisations in the partnership will also share intelligence and expertise on tackling cyber threats with other industry sectors and government through the recently announced national Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership.
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