Cyber Security report: Reactions

Security experts have reacted positively to government plans to create an Office of Cyber Security and applauded plans to reach out to the nation's hacking community. Web User takes a look at some of the reactions.

Rick Howard, director of Intelligence at iDefense, said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the plans to reach out to hackers in an effort to ensure the nation's security.

"It is encouraging to hear about the British authorities reaching out to the white-hat hacker community; the Russian and Chinese have been doing that for years and are way ahead of both the US and the UK in this regard," he said.

"Where the Russians and the Chinese have surpassed everybody else is their willingness to use amateur hacking groups to accomplish low-level cyber missions. The fact that the UK intends to use hackers for a good cause is encouraging," Howard continued.

Rob Elliss, director for Northern Europe at SafeNet, was just happy to see cyber security at the top of the government's agenda.

"The appointment of a cybersecurity chief and launch of a national strategy are very positive moves by the Government. Having seen the US do something similar last month, I’m pleased to see the UK is putting information security at the top of the public agenda," he said.

Steve Watts, co-founder of SecurEnvoy said that the nation's security should not come at the expense of civil liberties.

"Any cyber security strategy needs to negotiate a delicate balance – between heightening security and maintaining the openness of modern communication," Watts said.

Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at F-Secure said that he would "like to see a focus on developing an offensive capability against online criminals".

"Anti-virus and security companies are doing their best to protect their customers’ computers but little can be done directly by non-governmental organisations. These companies are not law enforcers, nor should they be," said Hypponen.

"At present, online criminals are essentially free to roam with almost nobody to stop them. If we don’t take action now, online crime will continue to grow stronger and will end up destroying the current model of internet business, banking and commerce," he continued.

Stuart Okin of security consultancy Comsec said the government could do more to ensure the security of citizens and businesses. "I do feel that we may have missed an opportunity. "When reading the strategy paper, it becomes obvious that the authors have taken an internal view, i.e. how does Government need to organise itself to get ready to protect cyberspace.

"The Cyber Security Strategy could have offered a little hope that not only are the government going to be protecting us behind the scenes, but also offer us additional support at the front line," he continued.

What do you think of the government's plans to develop a cyber-security agency? Have your say on the Web User forums.