UK launches Computer Emergency Response Team to deal with cyber security incidents

By Sarah Morgan

“Keeping the UK safe in cyber space” reads in the official press release about CERT-UK, the UK’s national Computer Emergency Response Team, which will prepare for and deal with national cyber security incidents.

Besides responding to threats, the body will also act as an advisory and provide alerts on cyber hazards to government, corporations and educational institutions.

CERT-UK will provide advice and guidance to help companies prepare and protect themselves, as well as expertise to help respond promptly once an incident has occurred.

It’s an important step

Francis Maude, Cabinet Office Minister responsible for Cyber Security said:

“This government’s most important task is to protect our security and ensure Britain is a safe place to work, live and do business. That’s why I’m delighted to launch the UK’s Cyber Emergency Response Team.”

“We know government cannot do everything by itself. CERT-UK shows we want closer coordination between government, business and academia to share insight and advice, as well as better cooperation with our international partners.”

“The job of protecting our security will never be done – it will always be a work in progress. But, from today, CERT-UK means we are better prepared, better informed, better connected and ultimately more resilient.”

Main responsibilities

CERT-UK has four main responsibilities, all following the UK Cyber Security Strategy:

• National cyber security incident management
• Supporting critical national infrastructure companies in handling cyber security incidents
• Promoting cyber security situational awareness across industry, academia and the public sector
• Providing the single international point of contact for co-ordination and co-operation with other nations’ CERTs

Meet the director

Although CERT-UK had its official launch yesterday, director Chris Gibson, formerly the director of e-crime at Citigroup, was appointed in November and he has been working as head of the body ever since.

With over 9 years of experience on the leadership team of the international Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), with the last 2 as global chair, Gibson is a globally recognised expert on cyber incident response. 

He was also a member of the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) Cyber Advisory Panel and for 10 years one of Citigroup’s representatives to the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure’s Financial Service’s Information Exchange.

Watch the following video of Chris Gibson introducing CERT-UK at the International Cyber Security Forum in January. 

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About the Author:        

Sarah writes for Firebrand Training on a number of IT related topics. This includes exams, training, certification trends, project management, certification, careers advice and the industry itself. Sarah has 11 years of experience in the IT industry.