The UK has a new Cyber Security Export Strategy

UK Government has launched the Cyber Security Export Strategy to promote the Great britain’s world-leading expertise and strengthen defence capabilities in the UK and allied countries. With recent cyber attacks threatening NATO countries as well as large global and UK organisations, London is urging businesses from both the Nation and allied countries to ensure they have the best security possible. UK cyber exports overall totalled £1.5bn in 2016, and global demand for software products to protect digital systems from vulnerabilities continues to grow, with total spend expected to exceed £759 billion by 2021. This new cyber security export strategy supports the ongoing work of the 2016 National Cyber Security Strategy. The 2016 strategy provided £1.9 billion of transformative investment in cybersecurity, which is being used alongside more conventional land, maritime and air capabilities, to meet these threats head-on.

The Cyber Security Export Strategy sets out 3 commitments from the Department for International Trade (DIT) to UK cyber companies

The Cyber Security Export Strategy “will develop world-leading technologies to protect the UK and organisations overseas from cyber attacks – a government press release reported -. The Strategy sets out 3 commitments from the Department for International Trade (DIT) to GB cyber companies: Pursue – in priority markets DIT will act as a trusted advisor to support UK companies bidding for major opportunities, primarily selling to overseas governments and critical national infrastructure providers. Enable – DIT will curate bespoke offers for the top buyers in these sectors worldwide, running trade missions and pitching the companies to address identified capability gaps. Respond – to showcase the best of UK cybersecurity updated branding and marketing will be developed and deployed around the globe, alongside new cyber security content on great.gov.uk.

Liam Fox: The new strategy has been developed with industry and comes with robust export control regimes, which will safeguard human rights

“Recent events show that the UK faces a diverse range of threats from hostile state actors. – stated the International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox – So in an increasingly digital world, it’s vital that we improve our cyber capabilities, which are crucial for national security and prosperity. The strategy will support UK companies to export our world-leading cybersecurity expertise, which will help strengthen our capabilities, and protect our country and our allies from those who wish us harm. This new strategy has been developed with industry and comes with robust export control regimes which will safeguard human rights. The launch is backed by ADS, the UK trade association for the security sector, who say the export strategy is an important step to help the UK’s world-leading cybersecurity companies reach new markets and continue to grow”.

The new UK strategy (file PDF)