The UK government has launched a cyber emergency response unit after it was first announced in December 2012 as a key element of government’s £650m cyber security strategy.
The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-UK) involves the Cyber Security Incident Response Team and the Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP), law enforcement agencies and other government and national CERTs, as well academia and business.
Commissioned as part of the Britain’s £650m cyber security proposal, the new unit aims to bolster the UK’s defences against cyber threats ranging from hackers to state-sponsored attacks.
According to the UK Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, about 93% of large organisations were hit with a breach over the past year.
"CERT-UK is going to play an incredibly important role in ensuring that we have that firm, resilient, foundation underpinning our economy," Maude added.
The new unit is expected to boost situational awareness, while lessening threats by sharing information with firms.
It will also offer a single point of contact for co-ordinating international responses to computer security incidents, which is hailed by cybersecurity teams from other countries.
Originally slated for commissioning 12 months from the date of announcement, the project was delayed over issues, including the division’s requirement for more personnel, enhanced technology and a headquarters.
