GovNet Communications welcomes enquiries from the press. For any press or media enquiries such as press releases, press passes to the conference, images or information please contact Hannah Toms on 0207 484 6294 or email hannah.toms@insidegovernment.co.uk.
-
Press Coverage from the Cyber Security Summit
Wednesday 30th NovemberThe Cyber Security Summit took place in the QE11 Conference Centre on the 29th November 2011. The summit attracted high profile participants from across government, Parliament and Europe to debate the latest cyber security challenges.
John Reid welcomes Cyber Security Strategy, but suggests key changes
To read the full story click here
Blunkett warns of cyber terrorist threat to Olympics
To read the full story click here
Lord Reid calls for innovation to boost cyber security
To read the full story click here
Former minister slams cyber spending priorities
To read the full story click here
UK should copy Estonia’s 'post-attack' cyber strategy
To read the full story click here
MoD reveals its part in the UK cyber strategy
To read the full story click here
Government cuts and lack of action on Get Safe Online criticised by former Home Secretary
To read the full story click here
Cyber threats appearing where even savvy users don’t expect
To read the full story click here
Former UK home secretary says Government needs to be imaginative to combat cyber threats
To read the full story click here
Blunkett backs government's cyber security plans
To read the full story click here
-
Pentagon Reveals New Cyber Strategy
Friday, July 15, 2011The Pentagon on Thursday unveiled its much-anticipated plans for how it intends to move forward with military, intelligence and business operations in the ever-evolving realm of cyberspace.
Releasing its unclassified report, "Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace," the Pentagon offered up of five key strategies it intends to focus on in order to crack down on cyber vulnerabilities, risks and threats posed on the US and its systems.
"It is critical to strengthen our cyber capabilities to address the cyber threats we’re facing," said Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in a statement. "I view this as an area in which we’re going to confront increasing threats in the future and think we have to be better prepared to deal with the growing cyber challenges that will face the nation."
The five strategic initiatives detailed by the Department of Defense (DoD) include:
1.DoD will treat cyberspace as an operational domain to organize, train, and equip so that DoD can take full advantage of cyberspace’s potential.
2.DoD will employ new defense operating concepts to protect DoD networks and systems.
3.DoD will partner with other U.S. government departments and agencies and the private sector to enable a whole-of-government cybersecurity strategy.
4.DoD will build robust relationships with U.S. allies and international partners to strengthen collective cybersecurity.
5.DoD will leverage the nation’s ingenuity through an exceptional cyber workforce and rapid technological innovation.
"The Department’s five strategic initiatives offer a roadmap for DoD to operate effectively in cyberspace, defend national interests, and achieve national security objectives," the report concluded.
"By pursuing the activities in this strategy, DoD will capitalize on the opportunities afforded to the Department by cyberspace; defend DoD networks and systems against intrusions and malicious activity; support efforts to strengthen cybersecurity for interagency, international, and critical industry partners; and develop robust cyberspace capabilities and partnerships."
Supporting the new cyber strategy, Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III addressed his colleagues at the National Defense University in Washington Thursday, noting: "Our responsibility is to acknowledge this new environment and adapt our security instruments to it. That is the purpose of the DoD Cyber Strategy."
"We must prepare. We must recognize the interconnectedness of cyber. And we must be mindful of the many ways cyberspace is used–as a peaceful instrument of global communications, as a tool for economic growth–and, also, as an instrument to threaten and sometimes cause harm," Lynn added.
"Given this broad landscape of activity in cyberspace, we must both protect its peaceful, shared uses as well as prepare for hostile cyber acts that threaten our national security. The strategy we are announcing today helps establish that balance. It provides a framework for us to promote our nation’s values in this vital civilian space while carrying out our duty to protect the nation."
For the full original report, click here.
-
Home Office warns of terrorist threat inherent in cloud networks
12th July 2011Terrorists are using cloud computing to plan attacks and remain undetected - and the UK Government needs to keep up with such technological advances. This was the message of Home Secretary Theresa May, who today outlined the Government’s updated counter-terrorism strategy, known as CONTEST.
Cloud, one of the hot topics in the IT world right now, is one example of how terrorists are using modern technologies for their own ends.
"Cloud computing offers new means for storing, sharing and distributing material online," May warned.
"It can be encrypted and configured to work with mobile devices, leaving little or no trace of the data behind."
Cloud-based companies such as Google are also unwittingly helping terrorists, the Home Secretary explained.
"Terrorists are increasingly using online technology, including Google Earth and Street View for attack planning," she said.
"Ahead of its attempted aviation attacks, AQ-AP used commercial systems to allow air mail to be tracked in real time – we can speculate that this was to detonate a device over a particular city, to maximise casualties, or perhaps over a particular country, to maximise the political fallout."
May also noted how extremists could use peer-to-peer networks to "distribute files and information rapidly and securely." Furthermore, software to encrypt mobile calls and texts is now widely available and improving, the Home Secretary said.
"To tackle these new and emerging threats our own technology must constantly evolve and adapt. That’s why we are investing in new systems and new capabilities," May added.
"Our Communications Capabilities Development Programme will ensure that our investigative capabilities are maintained in the face of rapid changes in digital technology. Legislation will be brought forward to put in place the necessary regulations and safeguards to ensure that the response to this technological challenge is both proportionate and appropriate."
The updated CONTEST strategy also focused on the need to strengthen border security, using technology such as that involved in e-Borders.
The Government will be announcing its own updated cloud computing strategy before September.
Earlier this week, the UK terror threat level was reduced from "severe" to "substantial."
For the full original report, click here.
-
21th July 2011 - Sci-Tech Committee launches new cyber-crime inquiry
The Science and Technology Committee as this week issued a call for evidence and launched a new inquiry into malware and cyber-crime.
This inquiry is the latest on the subject of cyber-rime to be launched by the Committee, chaired by Labour’s Andrew Miller, which has previously looked at how it affects UK national security.
Launching the new inquiry, the Committee has called for submissions on a number of points, including the question what proportion of cyber-crime is associated with malware, what is the cost of malware to individuals, and should the Government have a responsibility to deal with the spread of malware in a similar way to human diseases?
The deadline for submitting written evidence is noon on 19 September.
The launch of the inquiry comes just weeks after Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude, called for greater levels of cooperation between Government and the private sector to tackle cyber-crime.
Speaking at a conference at the time, Maude said, ""Making it happen means working together; forging relationships not only between government departments and agencies but between public and private, across borders and with wider society, right down to each individual one of us, sitting at home in the glow of our all-enabling laptops.
"The internet is an amazing, wonderful thing, and we want to keep it that way. We are playing our part, and we invite you to join us in playing yours."
For the full original report, click here.
-
12th July 2011 - Cyber terrorism set to increase after al-Qaeda calls for more cyber attacks, says government
Cyber terrorism will become an increasing problem as the tools and techniques needed for cyber attacks become more widely available, according to a report on the government's new counter-terrorism strategy.
A senior Whitehall spokesman said al-Qaeda has called for the use of more cyber terrorism, which he described as "a foretaste of things to come". The government is therefore working on the assumption that the threat will continue to grow, the spokesman said.
Currently there is no evidence of systematic cyber terrorism, said the report. The first recorded incident of a terrorist cyber attack on corporate computer systems took place in 2010 - Tariq bin Ziyad Brigades claimed responsibility for the "Electronic Jihad". Last year, the government allocated £650m for cyber defences over the next four years.
Home secretary Theresa May said: "As technology becomes an increasing issue for terrorists as they become more advanced [in how they use it], our capacity in dealing with it as a threat has to be constantly enhanced."
The new counter-terrorism strategy is our response to the continuing and evolving threat we face as a country, she added. "It is both comprehensive and wide-ranging, dealing with grand strategic issues and detailed technological points."
Terrorists are utilising a range of new technologies to ramp up attacks, the report found. Tools such as Google Earth and Street View are being used for planning, and the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008 were directed by people using off-the-shelf secure communications technology.
Software to encrypt mobile phone voice and SMS functions is widely available and improving, along with peer-to-peer networks and torrents, the report found.
Wider sharing of extremist information
Darknets, which enable users to share content anonymously, are also likely to become more popular. Cloud computing will enable terrorists to store and distribute material in a more robust way, which can then be encrypted and configured to work with smartphones.
Use of social networking sites and video sharing is now commonplace, added the report. There have been a number of attempts by terrorists and extremist groups to "invade". Facebook, although the report did not provide any details as to the form of this so-called invasion.
Twitter also poses a threat, as it is used to repost media or forum articles enabling extremist content to be shared more quickly, widely and among people who would not normally search for extremist content, said the report.
Estimates of the number of terrorism-related websites, made by experts in the field, range from several hundred to several thousand. It is clear that a few dozen are highly influential and frequented by terrorists, the report said.
To view the original report, click here.
© GovNet Events 2011
