UK CURRENT AFFAIRS Flashcards
Digitisation and the impact on Cyber Security in the UK
During Covid-19 we experienced a complete shift in ways of working which have followed us into this post covid era. This has been enabled my mass digitisation. The digitisation of working practices that were traditionally carried out via analogue means.
This in turn, has led to a dramatic increase in Cyber attacks in the UK and beyond.
During Covid-19 Global cyberattacks went up by over 300%, and in the year 2022 saw a 39% increase on the year prior. This link has a direct correlation to the fact that people have continued to work remotely, and business’ are heavily relying on CIS infrastructure for the majority of tasks.
Further more, in 2022 the UK suffered 43% off all targeted attacks throughout europe. The next closest was Germany at 14%. With more than 80% of UK Organisations experiencing a SUCCESSFUL attack in 2021/2022. This is up by 10% from the last reporting period. Also worth noting is that the average time to identify a breach is roughly 6 months. and a further 2 months to contain the breach. Total around 250 days of the year…
This could be chalked down to the fact that UK wide cyber budgets have, on average remained the same since 2021, all the while attacks become more advanced. The UK spends 11% of its IT budget on security. In Layman’s terms that’s like buying a Ferrari and leaving it unlocked behind a wooden gate.
So what are we as a country doing about this?
- The NCSC has just released its new Cyber Essentials Scheme, this provides guidance for companies to ensure they have achieved a baseline level of security.
- You can become Certified, which allows you to take on government work, and show to potential partners you take your security seriously.
- New legislation for telecoms companies, requiring them to follow specifics as apposed to making their own set of standards.
This is all fantastic news, but I think we should be going one step further. The risk now is that they ‘Grey area’ of hybrid warfare is becoming even murkier. An attack within the space domain, can have the same effects as a strategic attack. Without specific auditable requirements for ‘high risk’ companies, such as supply chain, healthcare, energy and financial, just to name a few. The Risk to us grinding to a halt from an attack from a state sponsored group is ever present. America, and the EU both have published hefty documents, outlining the requirements for companies to follow, and it allows for clear audits. We should follow suit, and this may be an area to allow to export this as a service around the world.
The damage Cyber attacks can have is currently unknown, unlike kinetic attacks with thousands of examples, we are only really starting to uncover the extent to which cyber can be utilised in a military capacity. The Solar wind hack was a fantastic, albeit concerning, example of this with the effect spreading country wide effecting Microsoft, intel, the US Treasury, Energy and the pentagon itself. The concern here is that these attacks are so flexible in nature, they can move from espionage to attack within a matter of seconds.
The STUXNET example is perfect to show how the cyber domain can be used to effect the physical domain. (Iranian nuclear plant hack)
The UK’s semiconductor policy
Semiconductors control and manage the flow of electric current in equipment and devices. They are regarded as the ‘Brains of Modern Electronics’ and are used in the make up of the majority of technology produced nowadays.
Covid 19 shone a light on the the importance of the semi conductor industry and the importance of being self reliant to allow the production of vital computers, military equipment, and manufacturing industry.
Despite this we are still without a UK semiconductor policy. Which is having a negative impact on the UK’s ability to compete within this sector.
If we fall behind in this industry, we will not be able to catch up. Period. We do not possess the financial capabilities.
We are home to Arm, Imagination and Graphcore. And are global leaders in the development and science behind these chips. However where we are lacking is the production of such chips. Not only is this a literal gold mine of an industry, it would also afford us greater political influence worldwide to be a large part in the global supply chain of these chips.
By owning large parts of the global supply chain, and having the manufacturing based here in the UK we also allow ourselves greater self reliance during times of conflict, or ‘Act of God’ events.
The US and the EU have both outlined clear support and subsidies for the industry, and both are actively courting companies to open up manufacturing and development sites in there respective regions. Whilst we have been waiting since 2022 for a policy to be released.
90% of the worlds advanced chips come out of Taiwan. With the rocky political situation and potential for war in the coming years, we cannot afford to rely on Taiwan for the production of these vital chips. If we saw a shortage like the one during covid on a much larger scale, the detrimental effects worldwide would be huge. Semi conductors are essential for technological advancement, and for every single industry in the UK. Without access to them, we could see our currently industries come to a halt.
Recently a takeover of a Newport FAB was halted by the UK government over security concerns, due to the new owners being a Holland based Chinese owned firm. Semiconductors produced in this company are used in UK military equipment.
The UK’s entry into the CPTPP
The UK has now entered into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
This is a crucial trade agreement following brexit and will provide us with access to a market worth 9 Trillion annually. Roughly 0.08% of our GDP per annum.
This will help to create new opportunities for our industries such as; Digital Services, Financial Services and Professional Services.
There is a worry that this will potentially have an adverse effect on certain industries such as Agriculture and manufacturing with British companies being out of favour due to cheaper alternatives being available from the countries who make up the CPTPP.
This is not something that will happen over night and will take years before we are ready to join, we will have to mutually agree trade deals with each of the 11 countries.
Apart from the significance of the trade deal, this also signifies a shift in alliances and how we are viewing the recent advancement of China.
At the annual meeting of China’s parliament and its advisory board in March, there was a lot of talk about war readiness throughout the leaders speeches.
During these speeches for the first time, Xi has labelled the US and the west as china’s adversary. He also put pressure on private businesses to serve china’s military aims, and once again reiterated that he see’s uniting taiwan and the mainland as vital ‘to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese ethnos’.
China has announced a 7.2% increase to its defence budget.
Xi also stressed the importance of self sufficiency not only for grain imports, but also for technologies. Stating that if they are short of either, the international market will not protect them.
China has unveiled new military readiness laws, new air-raid shelters in cities across the strait from Taiwan, new Recruitment offices country wide and at least one wartime emergency hospital. They have also passed laws to make it easier to prosecute people who speak against the government.
Its clear that onto of the economic benefits this new deal will provide in the long term, we are also actively trying to strengthen our relationships with the countries in the pacific region, will over the next few years will become increasingly important. We can use our role as a military leader to help impart knowledge, and ensure all the countries in that region are ready to face the potential threats of the next decade.
