The world is becoming increasingly interconnected. The digital revolution has led to huge advances in freedom, knowledge, health, commerce and well-being. As both the UK and the U.S. continue their reliance on networked information systems, the security of those systems become increasingly important. The United States and UK are the biggest investors in each other’s economies and both countries promote an open, vibrant, safe and stable cyberspace. However, our governments are keenly aware that the global cyberthreat represents one of the most serious risks to national security, peace and prosperity facing society today.
I have witnessed the rapid growth of cybersecurity in my temporary home state of Georgia. The state is home to more than 150 information security companies, together with 17 Fortune 500 headquarters and a sizable payments community; all of whom have a keen focus on protecting themselves from the ever-present threat and increasing sophistication of cyber attacks. Recently, the U.S. Army’s cybersecurity center of excellence relocated to Fort Benning.
Recognizing Atlanta as a global cybersecurity hub, the UK Trade and Investment team recently hosted a group of chief information security officers from some of Georgia’s largest companies and city and state officials, together with visiting UK cybersecurity companies, for a candid roundtable discussion at the Georgia Tech Research Institute . The British Ambassador to the U.S., Sir Peter Westmacott, and newly appointed UK Cyber Security Envoy Andy Williams, were in attendance to explore collaboration and shared issues between Georgia and UK cyber companies and research institutions and to discuss UK cyber security initiatives.
Participation by the ambassador and the Cyber Security Envoy underscores the importance of a number of new joint cyber initiatives announced during the Prime Minister’s most recent visit with President Barack Obama. These include combined network defense exercises with an initial focus on the financial sector; a commitment to align transatlantic cyber best practices and standards; the establishment of a joint cyber cell with an operating presence in both countries and new academic initiatives and scholarships to increase collaboration on cyber research. Safeguarding our citizens and securing key national assets are shared goals and our intelligence and law enforcement agencies work closely together to understand and respond to cyberthreats.
Several common themes emerged from the roundtable discussion; the importance of focusing on protection versus prevention, the role of compliance and risk management and the need to address the behavioral as well as the technical nature of cybersecurity. Most importantly, the discussion highlighted the role of international collaboration between trusted allies in cyber research and innovation – a topic of conversation which we hope to continue with the Georgia cybersecurity community.
We feel the UK has much to add to the ongoing battle to stay one step ahead of the cyber criminals. With a strong heritage in information security, governance and signals intelligence, London’s role as a global finance centre, as well as its Nobel award-winning science and innovation, three of the world’s top 10 universities, and 13 government-funded cyber research centres of excellence mean the UK has the largest market for cyber security in Europe and is home to more than 2,000 companies. Eightypercent of U.S. cyber companies in Europe have their headquarters in the UK, and the UK tops the ease-of-doing-business rankings among the top 10 economies in Europe.
Through ongoing initiatives, we hope to reinforce the UK’s role as a key ally for Georgia in cybersecurity. We hope that this roundtable is the first in a series of events that will strengthen our partnerships and provide the catalyst for future collaboration with Georgia business, research and government institutions.
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