NCSC to open in London

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a facility targeted at protecting the UK against cyber-attacks and overseen by parent body GCHQ, is set to be opened in London by HM the Queen.

In a report the NCSC highlighted that the UK is facing around 60 serious cyber-attacks per month, citing 188 Category Two and Three attacks over the last three months.

In a statement, the NCSC said it would work closely with law enforcement and the wider public sector, including the National Crime Agency (NCA) to support cyber security awareness campaigns. It has also delivered trial services that proactively discover vulnerabilities in public sector websites, help government departments better manage spoofing of their email and taken down tens of thousands of phishing sites affecting the UK.

Ciaran Martin, chief executive of the NCSC, commented: “Our job is to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online.

“We will help secure our critical services, lead the response to the most serious incidents and improve the underlying security of the Internet through technological improvement and advice to citizens and organisations.

“We want to be at the centre of a new era of online opportunity and help people to feel as safe as possible when using technology to its fullest potential.

Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: “As Chancellor I know how significant our digital sector is for the UK economy - worth over £118 billion per year.

“This cutting-edge centre will cement our position as world leader in cyber security and work carried out here will ensure our country remains resilient to potential attacks.

“Britain is transforming its capabilities in cyber defence and deterrence. It’s crucial we take action now to defend ourselves and protect our economy.”‎