Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to provide £70 million to make devices secure
- UK to become a world leader in ‘designing out’ many forms of cyber threats to online services and digitally enabled products by investing in development of hardware solutions to complement software solutions
- 40 per cent of UK businesses have experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months
- New investment through the modern Industrial Strategy to build on UK strengths in cyber security and increase share of a global market predicted to grow to £39 billion in a decade
Digital and online security is set to be beefed up with a £70 million Government investment package. The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund money will support research into the design and development of hardware to make devices more resilient from attack.
The aim of the project is to “design out” many forms of cyber threats by “designing in” security and protection technology. A further £30 million of Government investment will aim to ensure smart systems, such as controlling in-home heating from a mobile phone, are more secure.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said he wants the UK to become a world leader in the race to eradicate some of the most damaging cyber security threats. “This could be a real step-change in computer and online security, better protecting businesses, services and consumers from cyber attacks and bringing benefits to all sectors of the economy.
“With businesses having to invest more and more in cyber security, ‘designing in’ security measures into the hardware’s fabric will not only protect our businesses and consumers but ultimately cut cyber security costs to businesses.
“This is our modern Industrial Strategy in action. Building on the UK’s heritage and strengths in computing and cyber security alongside the Government and industry investing together to ensure the UK capitalises on its position to become a leader in the growing markets and technologies of tomorrow.”
Dr Ian Levy, National Cyber Security Centre’s technical director, said: “We hope this additional investment will drive fundamental changes to products we use every day.
“This is vital work, because improving hardware can eradicate a wide range of vulnerabilities that cause significant harm.”
