Effective cyber security is now considered a central government aim in an era that has seen cyber attack after cyber attack plague both public and private organisations.

The UK is no different, and the 2016-2021 National Cyber Security Strategy sets out how the government will deliver a country that is secure and resilient to cyber threats; ‘prosperous and confident in the digital world’.

The next step in the strategy will see the opening of a cyber security innovation centre in 2018, based in the London. In doing so, the government has said that London will cement its place as a world-leader in the fight against cyber attacks and threats.

>See also: The UK’s new National Cyber Security Centre

£14.5 million will be invested in this new innovation centre, which will help develop the next of generation of cyber security technology to help keep the nation safe.

This investment will be made over the next three years to bolster the UK’s cyber security defences, and help make – according to the government – the UK the best place to start and grow a digital business and the safest place to be online.

The innovation centre will aim to bring together large firms to work with innovative startups and industry experts to develop new cyber security technologies for businesses and organisations.

The new cyber security centre will capitalise on the thriving digital start-up scene that is beginning to thrive in the UK capital. It is estimated that one technology company is formed every hour in London.

Minister for Digital Matt Hancock said: “London is one of the world’s most important tech sectors, with a record £5.6 billion investment in the industry in the past six months and a new tech firm formed every hour in the capital.”

>See also: Will investment in the UK’s cyber defence system make a difference?

“Our investment in a new cyber innovation centre will not only cement the city’s position as a world leader but also boost the whole country by giving UK firms access to the latest cyber technology and allowing start-ups to get the support they need to develop.”

Kirill Kasavchenko, Principal Security Technologist, EMEA at Arbor Networks, commenting on this, said that: “Cyber threats are an ever present risk for governments and businesses, and in recent months we have seen attacks increase in both scale and frequency – with the WannaCry attack exposing vulnerabilities in the NHS’ cyber defences. Active collaboration between intelligence agencies, cyber researchers and businesses is necessary to reduce the prevalence of cyber-attacks in the long-term.”

“This new innovation centre shows a clear commitment from the government that it will foster closer relationships between these parties. It’s also great to see the government working to ensure UK firms have access to the latest cyber technology to secure their businesses. Intelligence sharing can help organisations better prepare for attacks, and can improve their detection and containment capabilities.”

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