Cyber security to be included in the Strategic Defence and Security Review

But costs to be shared across government

Liam Fox said the cyber security costs should not be shouldered by the MoD alone

The government has included cyber security in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, due this autumn, according to Defence Secretary Liam Fox, who was speaking in the Commons yesterday.

However, he made it clear the costs will have to be shared across government and not fall on the military budget alone.

Fox said the issue has already had considerable consideration as a cross-government problem, under the aegis of the National Security Council.

He explained that investing in better cyber security will not be an option for the UK, adding: "We face increasing threats in cyber space in the years ahead.

"The question is how we identify the weakest areas, determine which need to be looked at first and develop the technologies so that, as the other technologies that might affect us continue to evolve, we are best protected."

He added that this might require broader research than has been done to date.

Fox was replying to questions from South West Berkshire Tory MP Andrew Selous and Bridgend Labour MP Madeleine Moon in his first questions session following the summer recess.