The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Matt Hancock, has confirmed today that the UK’s new national cyber centre, announced by the Chancellor in November, will be called the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
The NCSC will be based in London and will open in October. Ciaran Martin, currently Director General Cyber at GCHQ will lead it. Dr Ian Levy, currently Technical Director of Cyber Security at GCHQ, will join the organisation as Technical Director.
The UK faces a growing threat of cyber-attacks from states, serious crime gangs, hacking groups as well as terrorists. The NCSC will help ensure that the people, public and private sector organisations and the critical national infrastructure of the UK are safer online.
It will bring the UK’s cyber expertise together to transform how the UK tackles cyber security issues.
It will be the authoritative voice on information security in the UK and one of its first tasks will be to work with the Bank of England to produce advice for the financial sector for managing cyber security effectively.
In setting up the NCSC we will adopt structured consultation with the private sector. Our objectives are to raise awareness of government intent; undertake genuine dialogue that shapes service delivery; demonstrate serious commitment to listen; and develop sustainable engagement channels.
Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Matthew Hancock said:
"In establishing the National Cyber Security Centre we are creating a body devoted to cyber security and this will transform the UK’s approach to an issue that affects us all.
This important work with the Bank of England is paramount to ensuring that businesses of all shapes and sizes understand the threats and what they can do to mitigate them.
We’ll do this by informing the entire business community and public sector about emerging threats, providing support when attacks happen and educating everyone on how best to stay safe online."
Robert Hannigan Director GCHQ said:
"Given the industrial-scale theft of intellectual property from our companies and universities, as well as the numerous phishing and malware scams that waste time and money, the National Cyber Security Centre shows that the UK is focusing its efforts to combat the threats that exist online.
Ciaran will be an excellent Chief Executive who will ensure that the NCSC will continue the outstanding work done by all of the existing organisations to protect national security and our economic success."
Ciaran Martin said:
"I’m very pleased to have the privilege of leading a world class team to get ahead of one of the most important threats of our time"