UK refreshes national security plan to stop more of China's secret-stealing cyber-tricks
(2023/03/14)
- Reference: 1678779606
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/03/14/uk_integrated_review_refresh/
- Source link:
Britain's domestic intelligence service MI5 will oversee a new agency tasked with helping local organizations combat Chinese cyber-spies and other threats]
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday announced the National Protective Security Agency ( [1]NPSA ) as part of a refresh of the government's security strategy known as the "Integrated Review".
The refresh included the replacement of the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund with an Integrated Security Fund that's funded to the tune of £1 billion to "deliver on the core objectives of the Integrated Review at home and around the world, including in economic and cyber security, counter terrorism and human rights."
[2]
According to MI5, the NPSA will provide cyber security training and advice to businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations while working with the police to boost "protections against terrorist attacks."
[3]
[4]
The NPSA will also collaborate with other government agencies including the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office to provide "holistic protective security advice."
"Science, technology, and academia are as much on the front lines of national security as the UK's critical national infrastructure," security minister Tom Tugendhat explained in a [5]statement .
[6]
"We know that hostile actors are trying to steal intellectual property from UK institutions in order to harm our country," Tugendhat added. "The National Protective Security Authority will play a crucial role in helping businesses and universities better protect themselves and maintain their competitive advantage."
Last year, MI5 and the FBI [7]warned UK and US academics and business leaders about the growing threat of Chinese spies stealing IP, academic research, and other sensitive information.
"It means that if you are involved in cutting-edge tech, AI, advanced research or product development, the chances are your know-how is of material interest to the [Chinese Communist Party]," MI5 general director Ken McCallum said at the time. "And if you have, or are trying for, a presence in the Chinese market, you'll be subject to more attention than you might think."
[8]Suspected Chinese cyber spies target unpatched SonicWall devices
[9]DoppelPaymer ransomware suspects cuffed, alleged ringleaders escape
[10]FBI and international cops catch a NetWire RAT
[11]The UK's bad encryption law can't withstand global contempt
McCallum cited examples of Chinese actions such as a US court [12]convicting a Chinese intelligence officer on charges of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets from the US aviation sector.
Another of McCallum's cautionary tales concerned UK-based engineering firm Smiths Harlow, which makes parts for Bombardier and Rolls-Royce, and in 2020 accused a Chinese investor of [13]stealing IP and reneging on an £8 million deal.
[14]
The British government first announced the Integrated Review in 2021 to provide an overview of the UK's national security and international policy.
This year's Integrated Review Refresh comes in response to increased tensions with Russia and China, and aims to boost the nation's armed forces along with its economic and technology supply-chain security.
"As I will discuss with our American and Australian allies in the US today, the UK will remain a leading contributor to NATO and a reliable international partner, standing up for our values from Ukraine to the South China Sea," Sunak declared in a [15]statement , referring to his meeting in California on Monday with US president Joe Biden and Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
That meeting saw the three nations announce a decades-long joint program to [16]build a new class of nuclear submarines and equip Australia with eight of the boats [17]under the AUKUS pact – a 2021 agreement largely designed to contain China. ®
Get our [18]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.npsa.gov.uk/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.mi5.gov.uk/news/new-body-will-help-the-uk-combat-national-security-threats
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.mi5.gov.uk/news/speech-by-mi5-and-fbi
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/09/suspected_chinese_cyberspies_target_uppatched/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/06/doppelpaymer_ransomware_arrests/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/10/fbi_netwire_seizure/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/13/column/
[12] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-chinese-intelligence-officer-espionage-crimes-attempting-steal-trade-secrets
[13] https://archive.is/9rSEc#selection-839.33-839.75
[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[15] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-announces-major-defence-investment-in-launch-of-integrated-review-refresh
[16] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/13/joint-leaders-statement-on-aukus-2/
[17] https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/16/aukus_defence_pact/
[18] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday announced the National Protective Security Agency ( [1]NPSA ) as part of a refresh of the government's security strategy known as the "Integrated Review".
The refresh included the replacement of the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund with an Integrated Security Fund that's funded to the tune of £1 billion to "deliver on the core objectives of the Integrated Review at home and around the world, including in economic and cyber security, counter terrorism and human rights."
[2]
According to MI5, the NPSA will provide cyber security training and advice to businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations while working with the police to boost "protections against terrorist attacks."
[3]
[4]
The NPSA will also collaborate with other government agencies including the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office to provide "holistic protective security advice."
"Science, technology, and academia are as much on the front lines of national security as the UK's critical national infrastructure," security minister Tom Tugendhat explained in a [5]statement .
[6]
"We know that hostile actors are trying to steal intellectual property from UK institutions in order to harm our country," Tugendhat added. "The National Protective Security Authority will play a crucial role in helping businesses and universities better protect themselves and maintain their competitive advantage."
Last year, MI5 and the FBI [7]warned UK and US academics and business leaders about the growing threat of Chinese spies stealing IP, academic research, and other sensitive information.
"It means that if you are involved in cutting-edge tech, AI, advanced research or product development, the chances are your know-how is of material interest to the [Chinese Communist Party]," MI5 general director Ken McCallum said at the time. "And if you have, or are trying for, a presence in the Chinese market, you'll be subject to more attention than you might think."
[8]Suspected Chinese cyber spies target unpatched SonicWall devices
[9]DoppelPaymer ransomware suspects cuffed, alleged ringleaders escape
[10]FBI and international cops catch a NetWire RAT
[11]The UK's bad encryption law can't withstand global contempt
McCallum cited examples of Chinese actions such as a US court [12]convicting a Chinese intelligence officer on charges of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets from the US aviation sector.
Another of McCallum's cautionary tales concerned UK-based engineering firm Smiths Harlow, which makes parts for Bombardier and Rolls-Royce, and in 2020 accused a Chinese investor of [13]stealing IP and reneging on an £8 million deal.
[14]
The British government first announced the Integrated Review in 2021 to provide an overview of the UK's national security and international policy.
This year's Integrated Review Refresh comes in response to increased tensions with Russia and China, and aims to boost the nation's armed forces along with its economic and technology supply-chain security.
"As I will discuss with our American and Australian allies in the US today, the UK will remain a leading contributor to NATO and a reliable international partner, standing up for our values from Ukraine to the South China Sea," Sunak declared in a [15]statement , referring to his meeting in California on Monday with US president Joe Biden and Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
That meeting saw the three nations announce a decades-long joint program to [16]build a new class of nuclear submarines and equip Australia with eight of the boats [17]under the AUKUS pact – a 2021 agreement largely designed to contain China. ®
Get our [18]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.npsa.gov.uk/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.mi5.gov.uk/news/new-body-will-help-the-uk-combat-national-security-threats
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.mi5.gov.uk/news/speech-by-mi5-and-fbi
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/09/suspected_chinese_cyberspies_target_uppatched/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/06/doppelpaymer_ransomware_arrests/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/10/fbi_netwire_seizure/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/13/column/
[12] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-chinese-intelligence-officer-espionage-crimes-attempting-steal-trade-secrets
[13] https://archive.is/9rSEc#selection-839.33-839.75
[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/cso&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZBBT1f9ad35wozuCpLJTTwAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[15] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-announces-major-defence-investment-in-launch-of-integrated-review-refresh
[16] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/13/joint-leaders-statement-on-aukus-2/
[17] https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/16/aukus_defence_pact/
[18] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
A bit selective..
Anonymous Coward
Does this plan also shield against US spying or do we keep pretending that that's all OK because they're "friends", even after Brexit zapped UK's influence in Europe?
Ah, wait, ECHELON's still in place. Given that the telcos have pushed everyone into using apps for communication by their high tariffs for international calls I'm guessing that lot is behind the moronic push for breaking encryption protocols. Yes, 'breaking' because encryption with a backdoor isn't encryption, it's a farce. It's equivalent to using XOR or at best DES.
Anyway, good luck with this. I'm no fan of China but I can't help noticing we're all worse off by switching from collaboration and trading to blacklisting, and I cannot imagine that was unexpected.
Encryption
Roj Blake
Hey Sunak! Know what would really make it difficult for Chinese spies to steal all of our secrets? Cancelling your ludicrous bill that bans encryption!
Doctor Syntax
Encouraging strong end-to-end encryption online would be helpful.
Fortnums.....good for more than tea and cakes!!!!!
Anonymous Coward
Quote: "....a leading contributor to NATO...." surely a joke?
.....with the propeller falling off our £5billion aircraft carrier......
.....with all six (yup....all six) Type 45 destroyers in dock to replace the cooling system for their gas turbine engines.....
Oh.......what do think will be the quality of the proposed submarines for Australia?
But.....of course Babcocks have a large supply of Fortnums carrier bags......destined for various offices in Westminster................
Potemkine!
New agency = new administrative work = more red tape. That sounds costly and inefficient.
Last Chance Saloon.... Is MI5* worthy of Special AIR Services Support?
Britain's domestic intelligence service MI5 will oversee a new agency tasked with helping combat other threats
Is that to be a TitanICQ AI Based Program, more Holywood Palace Barrack monitored than Hollywood Hills centred? Just asking ... because it can so easily be so in next to no time.
Softly, softly, catchee monkey and wannabe lions led by braying donkeys ...... and quite a challenge for the MoD to pull off successfully, both effectively and stealthily ‽ .
Obviously does any failure to grasp novel and rare raw opportunities naturally logically result in leading Special Advanced IntelAIgent Research Services migrating and developing and evolving somewhere elsewhere foreign and alien and more able to combat and incorporate and play nice with other present and future emerging threats/treats.
* Well ..... what do you think of their likely partnershipping ability with regard to the protection or leading of anything extremely sensitive and way beyond top secret, for that is the money-shot question they will have to answer truthfully to themselves ‽ .