UK Launches Cyber Security Threat Sharing Centre

The UK government has launched the Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP), it promised in December.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude welcomed the project, which will see a host of UK bodies, including intelligence agencies such as GCHQ and MI5, share threat data with private bodies. The overall aim is to be better prepared for incoming cyber attacks, which often use similar tactics and malware.

Cyber security danger

“We know cyber attacks are happening on an industrial scale and businesses are by far the biggest victims in terms of industrial espionage and intellectual property theft, with losses to the UK economy running into the billions of pounds annually,” Maude said.

“This innovative partnership is breaking new ground through a truly collaborative partnership for sharing information on threats and to protect UK interests in cyberspace.”

The project, referred to as a “cell” is officially being unveiled today, following a pilot scheme involving some 160 companies from different sectors, including finance, defence and pharmaceuticals.

The National Crime Agency, which is to house the National Cyber Crime Unit when it launches in October, will also be involved. The centre itself will have a base at a secret location in London.

A “secure virtual collaboration environment, something like a secure Facebook for participants, is included too.

A  “fusion cell”, which will provide analysis and support to the initiative, was also announced.

Howard Schmidt, former White House Cyber Security Adviser, added: “The launch of the UK CISP is an important step in forging an ongoing partnership between industry and government, promoting information sharing by providing the ability to analyse and redistribute information in a timely, actionable and relevant manner.”

Over the past year and a half, the government has been ramping up its efforts in the security space. Late last year, it announced a UK National CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) and a Cyber Reserve within the Ministry of Defence (MoD), as part of the overarching Cyber Security Strategy.

This month saw the launch of the Cyber Crime Reduction Partnership, another attempt to facilitate better threat data sharing across industries.

Are you a security expert? Try our quiz!