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In the first in a series of threat assessments produced by the National Security & Resilience Studies department at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), author and research analyst Calum Jeffray has been taking a look at the scale of the threat to the UK and the findings are disturbing.

"As the number of internet users and ease of access increases, and more and more of the nation's public and private assets are stored electronically rather than physically (often outside UK jurisdiction), so, too, do opportunities grow for individuals to exploit the internet for criminal ends," states Jeffray. "According to the National Crime Agency, 'If there is a single cross-cutting issue that has changed the landscape for serious and organised crime and our response against it, it is the growth in scale and speed of internet communication technologies.'

ALL AT RISK
"Open-source analysis reveals that the scale and reach of cyber-crime are perceived to be increasing, he adds. "Cyber-criminals rapidly identify potential vulnerabilities in new and evolving technology, exploiting them to unlawfully acquire data or disrupt systems, typically for financial gain. Like all types of crime, cyber-crimes are committed by both opportunistic individuals and organised crime groups (OCGs), and the public, businesses and government are all at risk.

"Understanding the scale of cyber-crime, how it is changing over time and the impact of interventions to tackle it are key priorities for policy-makers. However, the scale of such crime in the UK and its cost to the economy have proved challenging to quantify with any degree of confidence. This is largely because of the unclear methodologies or metrics used to measure online criminal activity, as well as the challenges of cross-border activity and confusion and ambiguity over much of the terminology associated with cyber-crime. Under-reporting and inadequate recording of such crimes represent further challenges."

Meanwhile, the need for a new generation of highly skilled cyber security experts for the digital age is all too evident. One response to that need is a new GCHQ certification, aimed at increasing the UK's academic capability in all fields of cyber security - in the form of an MSc in Cyber Security, delivered by experts from the Security Lancaster research centre at Lancaster University. This is one of only four Masters degree courses delivered by UK universities to receive a newly launched 'Full Certification' status by GCHQ and reflects the aims of the National Cyber Security Programme, UK Government and its delivery partners to increase the UK's academic capability in all fields of cyber security.

SKILLS GAP
"Government recognises that robust cyber security is essential for the UK to prosper in the digital age," comments Professor Awais Rashid, director of Security Lancaster. "At the moment, there is a significant skills gap, with demand for talented people equipped with the necessary cyber security skills being outstripped by supply. Centres of excellence like Security Lancaster are working hard to help equip our students with those sought-after and increasingly important skills to help meet the cyber security needs of business, industry and the society-at-large.

“We are happy our Masters in Cyber Security has received this certification as part of a rigorous national assessment and we are sure this measure will also help employers to identify the best graduates with the necessary skills," states Rashid.

Lancaster University's Security Lancaster is an EPSRC-GCHQ Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research. GCHQ, which has identified establishing a network of cyber security centres of excellence as a strategic priority, has indicated that delivering certified Masters qualifications is likely to be a prerequisite for future centre of excellence status in cyber security education for universities. Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, who announced the new course, adds: "Cyber security is a crucial part of this government's long-term plan for the British economy. We want to make the UK one of the safest places in the world to do business online. Through the excellent work of GCHQ, in partnership with other government departments, the private sector and academia, we are able to counter threats and ensure together we are stronger and more aware."

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