CNI Expert Gives Thumbs up to National Cyber Security Centre

The new London-based National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a positive step towards sharing information on cyber security, says Barrie Millett, an expert in critical national infrastructure (CNI) security.

Millett said in an interview with Computer Weekly:

“Essentially, this is moving forward with the government’s cyber security information sharing partnership [Cisp], which has been the starting point of sharing best practice, challenges and collectively trying to bring a plan together.”

The NCSC, however, will focus mainly on critical national infrastructure and vital services, said Millet, who is on the Cyber Rescue Alliance advisory board, as well as being the ex-chief of resilience at E.ON UK and director of resilience company, Albany Pearl.

He added:

“If the broader business community continues to fail to recognise the challenges of the threats out there, they will continue to be left behind.”

He went on to say that a significant challenge lies ahead for government officials, who must ensure that they keep their eye on industries that are not being helped by providers of vital services and CNI, but at the same time are the spine of UK firms.

Millet feels that what separates vital service businesses from other firms is an awareness of cyber security threats.

These businesses need to ensure that they are fully aware of the dangers of cyber crime and that they possess sufficient knowledge of how to protect their firm against current threats. Reprioritising their information security recruitment goals and beefing up their business protection would be positive first steps.