How will the cyber security hub work? Experts explain

The government last week announced the creation of a cyber security hub as part of its cyber security strategy. Here one industry insider explains how it will enable the sharing of information between the public and private sectors.

Speaking at the Westminster eForum seminar on e-crime, cyber threats and protecting critical national infrastructure, Kevin Jones, director of ADS, a trade organisation for the UK aerospace, defence, security and space industries, said: "Alongside the cyber security hub there will be a series of nodes.

"There are 24 heads of major enterprises that have agreed to share sensitive information and reach into the supply chains of the organisations represented by ADS."

Jones added that organisations will need to share information with their competitors in the interests of protecting the ecosystem against cyber criminals and foreign espionage, which David Cameron recently explained was costing the UK £27bn per year.

"It's absolutely about enterprises sharing information with their competitors. SMEs don't have the time, resources or ability to create teams to deal with the problem, so it falls on enterprises to step up to the mark," said Jones.

"Communication between government and industry is critical," he concluded.

Nick Chaffey, global head of defence, security and resilience consulting at PA Consulting Group, outlined the nature of the threat.

"The US and UK governments are now recognising the growing cyber threat to their economies and infrastructures.

"This is a threat to the competitiveness of UK industry, and a threat to its IP and resources."

This could have been a reference to a firm in Cheshire that went out of business this year when its IP was stolen in a cyber attack.

Chaffey added that the government's greatest challenge is protecting the UK's economy from cyber attack, while motivating industry leaders to recognise the threat.

Referencing a recent survey by his organisation, he claimed that 50 per cent of UK CEOs had said cyber security is on their agenda but not at the top, and that only 33 per cent felt adequately protected.

"This means that two-thirds do not feel well protected. The problem is that the threat has moved faster than government and industry leaders."

He concluded that 80 per cent of most enterprises' value exists in intangibles, meaning digital data.

The government hopes that encouraging the private sector to share information on threats and potential responses with itself and with government agencies will help to protect the economy.