UK to beef up against net attacks
Source: Agencies |
October 19, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BRITAIN unveils a package of spending cuts this week - the harshest since World War II - but counterterrorism and cyber attack prevention are among areas expected to get funding boosts.
Terrorism and cyber warfare have been identified as the two most serious threats facing Britain, and a higher priority than preparing for another international military conflict, according to Britain's national security strategy, a detailed plan that will spell out the country's security priorities.
The announcement yesterday comes just days after the head of Britain's eavesdropping agency, GCHQ, warned of the threat that cyber attacks pose to the country's computer infrastructure.
Iain Lobban said 20,000 malicious e-mails had been detected on government networks each month, and significant disruption had already been caused by electronic worms.
Preventing another attack like the 2005 suicide bombings that killed 52 London commuters is also a top priority.
US and British intelligence officials say a credible European terror plot is still active and being monitored.
"While military spending on big ticket items like jets and tanks will probably be decreased, it is true that we will likely see spending hikes in cyber attack and terror prevention," said a British government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Yesterday's strategy sets the scene for today's Strategic Defense and Security Review, which will detail areas to be sacrificed to achieve the 7 percent to 8 percent savings demanded by Britain's treasury.
Overall spending cuts will be announced tomorrow where government ministries are likely to see their budgets reduced by up to 25 percent over four years - far more than any other British administration since World War II has attempted, even under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Home Office Secretary Teresa May said yesterday efficiencies are possible without sacrificing security.
Another British official said staff reorganization had already provided some savings.
Britain's cuts have raised questions of how it will be seen on the world stage, and more specifically what it means to its participation in the NATO-led military operations in places such as Afghanistan.
Terrorism and cyber warfare have been identified as the two most serious threats facing Britain, and a higher priority than preparing for another international military conflict, according to Britain's national security strategy, a detailed plan that will spell out the country's security priorities.
The announcement yesterday comes just days after the head of Britain's eavesdropping agency, GCHQ, warned of the threat that cyber attacks pose to the country's computer infrastructure.
Iain Lobban said 20,000 malicious e-mails had been detected on government networks each month, and significant disruption had already been caused by electronic worms.
Preventing another attack like the 2005 suicide bombings that killed 52 London commuters is also a top priority.
US and British intelligence officials say a credible European terror plot is still active and being monitored.
"While military spending on big ticket items like jets and tanks will probably be decreased, it is true that we will likely see spending hikes in cyber attack and terror prevention," said a British government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Yesterday's strategy sets the scene for today's Strategic Defense and Security Review, which will detail areas to be sacrificed to achieve the 7 percent to 8 percent savings demanded by Britain's treasury.
Overall spending cuts will be announced tomorrow where government ministries are likely to see their budgets reduced by up to 25 percent over four years - far more than any other British administration since World War II has attempted, even under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Home Office Secretary Teresa May said yesterday efficiencies are possible without sacrificing security.
Another British official said staff reorganization had already provided some savings.
Britain's cuts have raised questions of how it will be seen on the world stage, and more specifically what it means to its participation in the NATO-led military operations in places such as Afghanistan.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
