Government launches support strategy for cyber security technology businesses

The government has announced the launch of a new strategy to support the export of cyber security technology.

On Monday (26th March) International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox unveiled the new Cyber Security Export Strategy, which aims to promote the “UK’s world-leading expertise and strengthen defence capabilities in the UK and allied countries.”

Dr Fox said the strategy will help the UK’s 800 cyber security companies to win contracts that provide security for international buyers and protect networks across the world.

UK cyber exports overall totalled £1.5bn in 2016, and global demand for software products to protect digital systems from vulnerabilities continues to grow, with total spend expected to exceed £759bn by 2021.

This new cyber security export strategy supports the ongoing work of the 2016 National Cyber Security Strategy, which provided £1.9bn of investment in cyber security.

Dr Liam Fox, International Trade Secretary, said: “Recent events show that the UK faces a diverse range of threats from hostile state actors. So in an increasingly digital world, it’s vital that we improve our cyber capabilities, which are crucial for national security and prosperity.

“The strategy I am publishing will support UK companies to export our world-leading cyber security expertise, which will help strengthen our capabilities, and protect our country and our allies from those who wish us harm.”

The launch of the new strategy is backed by ADS, the UK trade association for the security sector, which said the export strategy is “an important step to help the UK’s world-leading cyber security companies reach new markets and continue to grow.”

Paul Everitt, ADS chief executive, added: “Public and private organisations in the UK and around the world are facing rapidly evolving cyber security threats. In the UK we have a diverse range of companies able to provide world-leading expertise and innovation to combat these threats.

“The UK’s cyber security exports are already worth £1.5bn a year and we expect this area of activity to continue offering the strongest export growth in the security sector in the years ahead.

“This new strategy announced today can help the sector continue to grow, make a greater contribution to national prosperity, and protect the UK and our allies from threats in cyberspace.”