UK cyber strategy to 'join up' security efforts

The upcoming UK Cyber Security Strategy will aim to join up security efforts from the police, intelligence agencies, and industry, according to police and officials involved.

The strategy, which has been pushed back to mid-October, will attempt to foster closer information-sharing relationships between GCHQ, the intelligence services, and industry groups, a senior police officer told ZDNet UK on Thursday.

"We are the frontline side, and sometimes don't get to see so much of what the security services and GCHQ are doing," said the officer. "The strategy is going into more detail about who is leading aspects of the response."

The strategy will be coordinated by the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (Ocsia), a senior Cabinet Office official told ZDNet UK on Thursday.

"Every major government department will be involved, and will all take a leading role in delivering the strategy," said the official. "The whole point of the Cyber Security Strategy is promoting the UK as a good place to do business online. It's up to industry to take advantage and step up to the plate."

Increased information-sharing about cyber threats will need to be proportionate, and balance individual freedoms with state intervention, said the official.

"The strategy will say we need to protect our way of life and culture," said the official. "The internet played a significant part in democracy in the Arab Spring. We recognise the internet... supports new ways of communication."

The official spoke to ZDNet UK at the Cyber Security Forum September 2011 at the BIS conference centre.