Mayor’s office scheme to provide capital-specific threat intel

London businesses are to be offered intelligence on security threats specific to the region.

Potentially launching next month through an independent body that combines the private sector, government and police, the scheme was initiated by the  London mayor’s office.

The London Digital Security Centre Programme will be running a test introduction in June, with October expected to see the hard deployment. Its accommodation, which is provided by British Telecom, will be located near New Scotland Yard.

There are presently 19 employees, with another six to be added.

The woman who heads the LDSC, Mandy Haeburn-Little, spoke to SC Magazine UK when commenting on the motivating factors behind the scheme. She said a mayor’s office survey revealed that businesses showed little confidence in the police’s capabilities when it comes to cyber security, including the responses to reports.

She added:

“Secondly there seemed to be concern about how the three different bodies – the National Crime Agency, the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police – worked together, and thirdly there was a general lack of knowledge of what they needed to do to be more resilient.”

The new scheme will benefit London, but the lack of confidence in the police is a worrying factor. Businesses both in and out of the capital need to do all they can to protect against cyber threats in the current climate. They would be well advised to invest more in cyber security jobs if they really want to protect their systems and data.