In a world that is becoming increasingly digital, criminal tactics are constantly evolving. Cyber-crime in particular is highly complex, presenting unique challenges to policing and accelerating demand force-wide. As such, we too are evolving.
Commissioned by the National Police Chief’s Council’s (NPCC) Digital, Data and Technology Coordination Committee (DDAT CC) and in close collaboration with the Police Digital Service (PDS), this month the National Policing Cyber Security Strategy has been published.
It sets out a three-year programme of focused work, to support the advancement of cybersecurity across government and policing.
Working to the very highest cybersecurity standards and supported by PDS, the NPCC’s Police Information Assurance Board will focus on a number of key areas, to ensure long-term resilience against cyber-attacks of any kind. “This Strategy marks a critical moment, as we strive to safeguard society from cyber threats that are escalating in prevalence and impact, risking harm to the public. The Strategy will enable us to take a proactive, collaborative approach to cyber defence, ensuring that every officer and staff member is equipped to tackle these threats head-on. Together, our imperative is to defend as one, no matter which police force or agency is called upon.” We absolutely recognise that crime types and the requirements of policing are changing and are determined to stay one step ahead of those within society who pose a threat to the public. To the untrained eye, cyber-crime is invisible, actioned by those who unfortunately seek to use specialist skills to harm others. We will continue to drive advancement wherever it is needed, in order to track, intercept and disable this activity, and destroy the networks that facilitate it. This Strategy will be pivotal in driving that work forward.The Strategy is a significant opportunity to ensure that the cyber defences for policing are robust and respond to the ever-growing threats that are faced. Each of the initiatives set out in the Strategy, will enable policing to improve its resiliency to cyber-attack, and to maintain public trust and confidence in policing services.