13/10/2010

UK Infrastructure Faces A 'Real And Credible' Threat

The head of GCHQ has warned, the UK's critical infrastructure, including power grids and emergency services, faces a "real and credible" threat of cyber attack.

Iain Lobban, the Intelligence Agency Director has spoken out saying the internet has created opportunities for hostile states and criminals, and the country's prosperity rested on defending against this type of assault.

He acknowledged, 20,000 "malicious" e-mails on government networks each month, of which 1,000 were deliberately targeted at them, while intellectual property theft was taking place on a "massive scale" - some relating to national security.

Speaking to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Mr Lobban said the threat posed by terrorists, organised criminals and hostile foreign governments was "real and credible" and he demanded a swifter response to match the speed with which "cyber events" happened.

Ahead of the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the Comprehensive Spending Review due to be published next week, Mr Lobban said ministers would be looking at what capabilities the UK needs to further develop.

He commented: "Clearly they will also be deciding how they trade off against other spending priorities.

"Just because I, as a national security official, am giving a speech about cyber, I don't want you to take away the impression that it is solely a national security or defence issue. It goes to the heart of our economic well-being and national interest", he added.

(BMcN/KMcA)

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