Basingstoke: MWR InfoSecurity welcomes extra government spending on cyber security

Government plans to spend an extra £210 million on cyber security has been welcomed by IT security company MWR InfoSecurity. 

Director Alex Fidgen commented: "The Government has recognised that we are under increasing threat of attacks from a variety of sources and this extra funding is very welcome. It will enable us to fight the threat on a more level playing field.

"British businesses have to play their part though. They can expect an increased variety of attacks from numerous sources including state-sponsored activity. Some countries want to steal our intellectual property rights for competitive advantage, while others simply want to disrupt and damage business.

"British businesses need to understand that they must protect themselves from these threats which are evolving all of the time.

"In the Government's spending review, chancellor George Osborne said that cyber security is a national security priority for the UK and that investment in this area will continue to grow in 2015-16. This will include £210 million investment in the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP).

The document said that this funding would maintain the NCSP in cash terms and would build on existing cyber projects as well as funding new investment. It will be used to meet a range of cyber security priorities, including:

• further investment in the protection of UK interests in cyber space, making it harder for hostile states and criminals to target the UK
• raising awareness of the cyber threat and how UK business and the general public can protect themselves against it and
• further investment in the skills and standards needed to support a vibrant and internationally-competitive UK cyber security sector.

This funding will be invested in a broad range of projects across government to deliver the UK's cyber security objectives.

The document said that the new funding would build on the £650 million funding for the NCSP in the current spending review period, which was generating significant benefit to the UK by increasing the UK's capability to tackle cyber threats, turning cyber security into an economic opportunity, and establishing the UK as a leader in this field.