UK Braces For Cyber Attacks, Terrorism

Oct 19, 2010


British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visits a business and technology consultancy firm on the launching of Cyber Security Strategy launching (AP photo)

Terrorism, cyber attacks and natural catastrophes pose major threats to UK as cited by top national security officials in a recent National Security Strategy.  The report was released prior to a major military review on defense budget that may be slashed off.

The military report cited intelligence reports that the Al-Qaeda and Northern Irish terrorist groups are making some movements for big offensive against the government and upcoming international events.  The Olympic Games, to be hosted by London, in 2010  was cited as an 'attractive target' for terroristic attack.

"Our strategy sets clear priorities - counter-terrorism, cyber attacks, international military crisis, and natural disasters such as floods," the government said in its report entitled "A Strong Britain in an Age Of Uncertainty".  The issues on unconventional threats to national security will be used to justify cuts to the nation's large military hardware spending.

The government is making some fiscal moves to slash its record budget deficit of close to 11 percent of the national output, but will have to maintain Britain a strong military power in Europe.   The report stated that the planned budget slash will strengthen the nation's finances to a more sustainable leverage on its economy. 

Cyber attacks have been a global issue on criminality as a source for financial gain as well as attacks by cyber terrorists on military, utilities, transport, media and other networks to disrupt operations.  The British government is coming up with a "transformative program" on cyber security with a 500-million British pounds in budget.  The program aims to strengthen security ties with emerging global cyber powers such as China and India.



 

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