Cyberwarfare threat warning

The government has put cybersecurity at the forefront of its updated security strategy.

The strategy's announcement has come amid warnings that terror groups such as al-Qaida could be planning to engage western nations in cyberwarfare.

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The Prime Minister said: "Just as in the 19th century we had to secure the seas for our national safety and prosperity, and in the 20th century we had to secure the air, in the 21st century we also have to secure our position in cyberspace."

Security minister Lord West said that terror groups' online capabilities were increasing and that the UK had already faced cyber attacks from groups in Russia and China, though he did not explicitly say these had been state-sponsored.

He added that no critical systems had ever been accessed by foreign groups and suggested that the fight against cyberterrorism could be aided by engaging the help of former hackers.

In order to secure the nation's important digital systems and assets, a dedicated Office of Cyber Security will be set up, Lord West said.

The government also committed itself to providing better advice to business and citizens about the nature of the risks and the protection they should take, the updated National Security Strategy reads.