Willets: Cyber security not \'solely military issue\'

The minister for cyber security claims the united kingdom differs from the area on its strategy to cyber crime.

Cyber security is not only a controversy for the army to stand, but one for both the private and non-private sector to work on together.

This was the claim by David Willets, minister of state for universities and science and the recently appointed minister for cyber security inside the department for business, innovation and talents (BIS). 

During his keynote speech at this week's Infosecurity Europe conference in London, the cupboard member said the united kingdom stood out from other countries by taking this more hybrid solution to tackling cybercrime.

“In the united kingdom, we do not treat cyber defence as a solely military issue,” said Willets. “Other government departments and law enforcement are brought in under the umbrella and go way beyond the traditional defence and security issues.”

The minister cited universities as one area where awareness of cyber security had to be increased, so claimed it only made sense to incorporate them within the process.”

“We also don't treat cyber security as solely a central authority responsibility either,” added Willets. 
“In the united kingdom, we recognise the non-public sector has a hugely important role… as they run and own the infrastructure that a lot of these [departments] depends upon, and likewise depend upon cyber space [themselves]. A partnership with private sector is very important.”

As a member of cupboard for the present coalition government, suffering from the grim picture of the united kingdom economy, Willets also believed the cyber security industry itself could help dig us out of the outlet we're in.

“There is a number of strong and innovative companies, a lot of which i'm expecting meeting at the show floor… based inside the UK,” he said.

“I am keen to get to grasp this significant business sector better. If we will be able to get this right, this is a huge opportunity for growth within the UK.”

Willets continued: “The internet has clearly transformed the economies in lots of advanced countries and we all know the web can transform the industrials of individual companies.”

“The challenge now for us in Britain is to derive the economic and social value from… a protected and resilient cyber space.”