Atlantic allies to go head-to-head in cyber fight

The UK and US will engage in digitised warfare in the hope of improving each other’s cyber security, it has emerged.

The move is a combined effort to protect  both nations against internet hackers. The first war game will occur later in the year and the financial industry will be first in line in being put to the test, said Downing Street.

The PM said:

“This is a real signal it’s time to step up the efforts and to do more.

“It’s also about protecting people’s data, people’s finances – these attacks can have real consequences to people’s prosperity.”

The move is a result of talks that took place in Washington recently between the Prime Minister and Barack Obama. FBI and MI5 agents will also take part in the game.

The collaboration comes into existence after a number of cyber attacks on major companies, in the US especially. Within the last few weeks, Sony has suffered various assaults on the digital front, such as one that saw Sony Pictures hesitating over a movie’s release.

YouTube and Twitter accounts have also been hacked by alleged Islamic State supporters.

The move should be sufficient proof that cyber crime is a focal point at the moment, on the heels of perhaps the most high-profile hack of all time. Businesses, both in the US and here in the UK, need to implement sufficient protection by opening up cyber security jobs and hiring skilled professionals capable of combatting any attempted attacks.