Cyber threats highlighted in green paper

Ainsworth: "Great vulnerabilities" in the cyber environment

The threat of cyber attacks on Britain or on British interests has been highlighted in the government green paper setting out the basis for a major Strategic Defence Review (SDR) after the general election.

Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth told MPs there are "great vulnerabilities" in the cyber environment as UK defence forces become more dependent on technology. The document says cyber space "poses serious and complex challenges for UK security and for the Armed Forces' operations".

It says: "Our increasing dependence on cyber capabilities creates opportunities but also serious vulnerabilities.

"Cyber attacks are already prevalent in the security environment and are growing in seriousness and frequency."

It adds: "The most sophisticated threat is from established and capable states but cyber eliminates the importance of distance, is low cost and is anonymous in nature, making it an important domain, not just for hostile states but terrorists and criminals alike."

The paper reaches no concrete conclusions. Decisions are a matter for the SDR, but it points out: "We have to be able to defend against intelligence gathering or more malicious activities, not just to protect our routing business, but also our ability to conduct high-tempo operations."