UK to ‘strike back’ against hackers with new cyber specialists in £1.9 billion security plan

More officers specialising in cybercrime will be recruited as part of a £1.9 billion strategy to protect Britain from online attacks expected to be announced today.

Chancellor Phillip Hammond will formally launch the UK’s Cyber-Security Strategy on Tuesday (November 1) with a focus on improving the country’s ability to defend itself.

More than 50 cybercrime investigators will be recruited to the National Crime Agency’s cyber unit to ensure the UK is prepared to “strike back” against state-sponsored hackers.

The strategy will also strengthen safeguards on vital infrastructure, such as transport and energy supplies.

Ahead of the launch, Mr Hammond said: “Britain is already an acknowledged global leader in cyber security thanks to our investment of over £860 million in the last parliament, but we must now keep up with the scale and pace of the threats we face.

“Our new strategy, underpinned by £1.9 billion of support over five years and excellent partnerships with industry and academia, will allow us to take even greater steps to defend ourselves in cyber-space and strike back when we are attacked.”

The £1.9 billion investment is nearly twice that allocated to the previous cyber strategy in 2011.

The new five-year plan will see the Government spell out how it intends to restructure its own defences to crack down on in-house security shortcomings.

Alongside this, the strategy will clarify the role of the newly created National Cyber Security Centre, which was launched last month to help other organisations respond to cybercrimes.

The Government also plans to put a strong emphasis on expanding research and development by creating a new ‘Cyber Security Research Institute’.

This online collection of universities will explore methods for improving the security of laptops and other smart devices.

The money will also help launch the country’s first cyber security Innovation Centre, and the Government will announce a new Cyber Innovation Fund next year.

Cabinet Office minister Ben Gummer said: “No longer the stuff of spy thrillers and action movies, cyber-attacks are a reality and they are happening now. Our adversaries are varied – organised criminal groups, ‘hactivists’, untrained teenagers and foreign states.

“The first duty of the Government is to keep the nation safe. Any modern state cannot remain secure and prosperous without securing itself in cyberspace.

“That is why we are taking the decisive action needed to protect our country, our economy and our citizens.”