Governments around the world are looking to improve their cyber defenses against a variety of threats.
In the Indo-Pacific region, Japan, Australia, India and the US met in Tokyo to discuss the threats posed by China to both cybersecurity and maritime security in the region.
The UK, on the other hand, is “desperately exposed” to cyber threats, according to the government’s science minister Peter Kyle (via The guard).
Threats and risks are increasing
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told the Tokyo summit: “To have prosperity in the region, we must ensure the stability of the base in maritime, cyber and space domains. We, the Quad nations, strive to protect the base of prosperity in the Indo-Pacific as we strive for an international community of co-existence and co-prosperity.”
Without specifically mentioning China, she also stated that “a certain country” was carrying out cyberattacks and increasing tensions in “a certain region,” and further stated that “we, the Quad nations, are committed to protecting the foundations of prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, as we strive to build an international community of co-existence and co-prosperity” (via Independent).
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reaffirmed his commitment to countering China’s activities in the region, including the increasing rhetoric about forcibly reunifying Taiwan with mainland China. He said: “We have not lost sight, we are resolutely focused on this region that we share.”
On the other side of the world, Peter Kyle has blamed the former Conservative government for undermining Britain’s resilience to both cyberattacks and future pandemics. “National resilience suffered terribly, catastrophically,” he said. “The previous government’s open warfare prevented any kind of progress in these areas and left our country desperate, not just for a future pandemic, but also for cybersecurity issues.”
His comments followed a warning from the National Cyber Security Centre which stated that the UK is lagging behind the capabilities of countries that carry out state-sponsored attacks on critical infrastructure in the UK.
A new cybersecurity and resilience bill will soon be introduced to the UK parliament, alongside the AI Act announced in the King’s Speech from the Throne.