1. n March 2011 the UK Government
published its Plan for Growth,stressing
the urgent need to secure long-term
sustainable economic growth through a
renewed focus on exports.The Plan for
Growth was followed in November 2011 by
the UK Cyber Security Strategy.
The UK Cyber Security Strategy aims to
tackle cyber crime and make the UK one of
the safest places in the world to do business
online.This includes developing a strategy to
promote the capabilities of the UK cyber
security industry to international markets.
This promotion has involved exploiting
the domestic sector’s strengths,including its
support of technical innovation,skilled
workforce,sound legal and regulatory
environment,and incorporation of‘the
internet of things’in the economy.
All of these strengths were recognised by
the Economist Intelligence Unit,which
ranked the UK number one in its Cyber
Power Index.
Capitalising on this ranking,the UK
Government has continued work on its
£650 million National Security Strategy,
launched in 2010,by making its Cyber
Essentials accreditation mandatory for
certain government contracts and
establishing an Office of Cyber Security
and Information Assurance.This office
works to co-ordinate security measures
between different government
departments,as well as public and private
sector bodies.
To further co-ordinate engagement
between government and the supply base,
UKTrade & Investment (UKTI) formed the
Cyber Growth Partnership,composed of
representatives from academia,government
and industry.The Partnership works on
behalf of the wider sector to increase access
to the export market,develop the UK cyber
presence abroad and undertake a market
analysis campaign.
The market analysis campaign is currently
gathering feedback from UK Government
posts overseas – particularly those in Brazil,
India,the Gulf States and South East Asia – to
give an overview of their local and regional
drivers in cyber security,high-value projects
and export risks.
Meanwhile,UKTI is also working with
government stakeholders to develop
bilateral relationships and pursue cyber
export opportunities.This work will take the
form of trade trips,exhibitions and seminars
both in the UK and abroad.
UKTI events will showcase UK cyber
security solutions,such as network
surveillance,advisory services (including
cyber security accreditation schemes),
endpoint technologies (such as firewalls),
social media analytics,mobile device
security,encryption technologies,and cyber
security education.
These services have potential applications
in both defence and civil technologies,such
as intelligence gathering systems,
communications infrastructure,transport
infrastructure,energy smart metering,large
ICT systems,financial services systems and
research capabilities.
Explaining these opportunities,UKTI
Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO)
Army Adviser for Cyber & Communications,
Lt ColTim Cooper,addressed the recent
Defence Procurement,Research,Technology
& Exportability (DPRTE) 2014 conference.
Lt Col Cooper said:“The UK is good at cyber
security;as a nation we have been doing it for
around 70 years – GCHQ and CESG have a
long history of its innovation.The Government
has structures in place that have matured over
time to support cyber security.
“Wehavesomeofthebestuniversitiesinthe
world–11ofwhicharerecognisedasCyber
CentresofExcellence–andtheytakethis
academicthinkingandtransformitinto
innovativeproducts,whichtheydevelopquickly.
“Wealsohavestrongpoliticalleadershipand
alegalframeworkthatsupportscybersecurity.”
Lt Col Cooper continued:“TheUKofferis
aboutAdvice,AccessandAssurance;providinga
tripleAratingofcybersecurity.Wewillprovide
advicetopeople,helpingthemrecognisethreats
inthecyberworld;provideaccesstoHMG
representativesandUKcompaniestocombat
thesethreats;andprovideassuranceschemesto
reducefuturerisks.”
F E A T U R E
20 MOD DCB :: 12 November 2014 :: Vol 12 No 22 :: www.contracts.mod.uk
UK Cyber Security Strategy:
promoting the next big export
The UK Government has set a national target of exporting £2 billion of cyber security goods and
services annually by 2016.This goal was established following publication of the UK Cyber Security
Strategy in 2011,which detailed a plan to capitalise on the country’s burgeoning cyber sector.
Here,MOD DCB features writer Julie Shennan takes a closer look at cyber security exports.
I
“The UK offer is about Advice,Access and Assurance;
providing a triple A rating of cyber security”
Lt ColTim Cooper,Army Adviser for Cyber & Communications,UKTI DSO
Further Information
For more information,visit:
www.techuk.org/cyber-growth-partnership