UK cyber security strategy due to be unveiled

The UK government will reveal its plan to tackle cyber crime later, including using the intelligence agency GCHQ to help the private sector protect itself. Police forces will be encouraged to train "cyber specials", while specialist Army reservists could also be used to provide particular skills. There will also be a big focus on helping the public protect themselves. It comes as the amount - currently about 6% - of UK GDP generated by the internet continues to grow. The increasing dependence on the digital world carries risks and the cyber security strategy is aimed at outlining responses to minimise them. Last year's national security strategy ranked hostile computer attacks on a par with international terrorism as a threat to the UK. Ministers then announced an extra £500m for cyber security, particularly to bolster protection for key infrastructure and defence assets. The government says there are more than 20,000 malicious emails sent to its networks each month, 1,000 of which are deliberately targeted. 'Kitemarking' The strategy is expected to include a new joint initiative between the public and private sector to exchange crucial information on cyber threats and to manage the response to attacks. It is also expected to set out ways in which GCHQ can help private companies and improve the wider UK cyber security sector. There will be further details on the Ministry of Defence's new Defence Cyber Operations Group, and a plan to encourage all police forces to follow the lead of the Metropolitan Police and train cyber specialists. Individuals will also be given more help to protect themselves, amid a warning from GCHQ that 80% of successful attacks could be thwarted by following simple steps like updating anti-virus software regularly. The strategy is expected to suggest "kitemarking" for cyber security software to help consumers and businesses avoid "scareware" - software which purports to be helpful but is, in fact, malicious. Earlier this month, the UK hosted an international cyber security conference, drawing together representatives from 60 nations. The event came soon after GCHQ warned that cyber attacks on the UK were at "disturbing" levels. Iain Lobban, the head of GCHQ, told the conference that a "significant" attempt was made to target the computer systems of the Foreign Office and other government departments over the summer. Baroness Neville-Jones, the prime minister's special representative to business on cyber security, said Russia and China - who both attended the conference - were some of the worst culprits involved in cyber-attacks. Outlining the national security strategy last October, Foreign Secretary William Hague said businesses and individuals must be aware of the risk of cyber attacks, as well as governments. He said such attacks could become a major threat to the country's economic welfare and its national infrastructure, such as electricity grids.