The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Matt Hancock, has confirmed that the UK’s new cyber centre, announced by the Chancellor in November, will be called the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
According to the Government, the UK faces a growing threat of cyber-attacks from states, serious crime gangs, hacking groups as well as terrorists. The NCSC will help ensure that the people, public and private sector organisations and the critical national infrastructure of the country are safer online as it will bring the UK’s cyber expertise together to transform how we tackle cyber security issues.
It will be the authoritative voice on information security in the UK and one of its first tasks will be to work with the Bank of England to produce advice for the financial sector for managing cyber security effectively.
In setting up the NCSC ministers will consult with the private sector to “raise awareness of government intent; undertake genuine dialogue that shapes service delivery; demonstrate serious commitment to listen; and develop sustainable engagement channels”.
The NCSC will be based in London and will open in October. Ciaran Martin, currently Director General Cyber at GCHQ will lead it. Dr Ian Levy, currently Technical Director of Cyber Security at GCHQ, will join the organisation as Technical Director.