National Policing Cyber Security Strategy published by NPCC

In a world that’s becoming increasingly digital, criminal tactics are constantly evolving. Cyber crime in particular is highly complex, presenting a unique landscape of challenges for policing and accelerating demand force-wide. As such, the police service is also evolving.

The National Policing Cyber Security Strategy sets out a three-year programme of focused work designed to support the advancement of cyber security across Government and policing.

Working to the very highest cyber security standards and supported by the Police Digital Service, the NPCC’s Police Information Assurance Board will focus on a number of key areas in order to ensure long-term resilience against cyber attacks of any kind.

Critical moment

Peter O’Doherty, the NPCC’s lead for information assurance, commented: “This strategy marks a critical moment as we strive to safeguard society from cyber threats that are escalating in prevalence and impact, in turn risking harm to the public. The strategy will enable us to take a proactive and collaborative approach to cyber defence, ensuring that every officer and staff member is equipped to tackle the threat posed head-on. Together, our imperative is to defend as one, no matter which police force or agency is called upon.”

Chief constable Rob Carden, the NPCC’s lead for digital, data and technology, observed: “We absolutely recognise that crime types and the requirements of policing are changing. We’re determined to stay one step ahead of those within society who pose a threat to the public.”

Carden added: “To the untrained eye, cyber crime is invisible and actioned by those who unfortunately seek to use specialist skills to harm others. We will continue to drive advancement wherever it’s needed in order to track, intercept and disable this form of activity and destroy the networks that facilitate it. This strategy will be pivotal in driving that work forward.”

Significant opportunity

Jason Corbishley, national Chief Information Security Officer at the Police Digital Service, concluded: “The new strategy is a significant opportunity to ensure that the cyber defences for policing are robust and respond to the ever-growing threats being faced. Each of the initiatives set out will enable policing to improve its resiliency to cyber attack and help to maintain public trust and confidence in policing services.”

*Further information is available online by visiting the NPCC’s website