The Royal United Service Institute [RUSI] in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre [NCSC] held its annual workshop at their Whitehall premises to discuss the future of Cyber Strategy for the UK.
This year two workshops took place on the 25th June and 12th July, to which ICS2 London Chapter Secretary Liz Banbury was invited, along with 39 other individuals from a variety of sectors: The UK Government defence department; NCSC; Department for Digital; Culture, Media and Sport [DCMS] and Cyber Security Professionals for Academia, Public and Private sector organisations.
Key Questions are asked in each workshop to address both how the UK can better respond to National Cyber Incidents and around how what the UK can do to ensure that it is taking a stronger lead-in Cyber Security on the Global playing field.
On the RUSI cyber programme:
Cybersecurity receives a significant amount of media coverage. But much of that remains remarkably uninformed and superficial – amounting to little more than a catalogue of eye-catching individual cyber incidents. There is little debate of the public policy issues around addressing today’s cybersecurity challenges.
The RUSI cyber programme brings much-needed research focus and capacity to support UK and international strategic responses to cybersecurity challenges. In so doing, the programme informs approaches to tackling cyber challenges by conducting research and running events that develop a strong evidence base for policymakers and practitioners alike.
On the Future UK Cyber Strategy project:
The UK is approaching a milestone in its cybersecurity journey. The UK’s second National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS), established in 2016 and underpinned by £1.9 billion of investment in transformational activities, comes to an end in 2021. Work is already underway to develop an approach for the future, including exploring where the next strategy could do more to consider the international dimension of cybersecurity.
Bringing together representatives from the UK Government, public sector, private sector, research, and academia, this workshop will focus on the how the next NCSS should build and promote a global cybersecurity leadership role for the UK. The discussion will cover prospects for cyber diplomacy, capacity building and the UK’s domestic cyber ecosystem, the role of international standards, and the impact of the globalisation of technology.
Discussions and the ideas and responses generated from these workshops are provided under strict Chatham house rules, but the workshop format is that those attending are put into teams to focus on particular questions. There is food for thought for all of us though, for as a Nation, when does self-preservation become more or less important than Global Efforts? When should you go on the offensive as opposed to permanently being on the defensive? Is the answer in strengthening those diplomatic relations? What part does Industry need to play?
What is your opinion?