World experts gather to tackle cyber threats

Britain is beginning a three-day international summit with partners in the European Union and the United States on how to tackle risks to cyber security.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has gathered experts from “like-minded nations” at Wilton Park in West Sussex, starting today, to discuss ways to develop resilience against cyber threats and to build up skills among businesses. Representatives from Australia, Canada, India, Japan and the African Union also will be present.
The gathering will aim to agree areas for further work to boost international co-operation against cyberattacks. “It’s hoped it will firmly place cyber on the global agenda and will become a regular fixture, with other nations expected to host going forward,” the government said.
Cyber crimes are estimated to have cost the UK economy £27 billion in 2022. The majority of attacks targeted businesses, most of which lacked the resources to handle them.
Labour has said that it will offer £1.3 million to universities, councils and businesses to train their staff in cyber security and to build a new cyber defence unit covering England and Northern Ireland. The government also has started a nationwide competition to find the best young cyber talent to represent Britain internationally.
Last month the government designated data centres as part of the country’s “critical national infrastructure”, alongside water and energy plants, to allow for state support during critical incidents.
The recommendations from the Wilton Park summit are due to be published later in 2024.
“The UK needs a significant improvement in its cyber defences,” Feryal Clark, the cyber security minister, said. “Later this year we’ll bring forward new measures to better protect the nation from cybercrime and our new regional skills programme will support the next generation of cyber talent and innovators.
“But this is a shared challenge, which is why we’re bringing together global allies to discuss and agree steps to keep us safe online, improve cyber skills and protect our economy and public services.”