Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cyber-security

Thursday 18 January 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Vicky Ford raised concerns about small businesses being inadequately protected and insured against cyber attacks.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the Auditor General's speech on the challenges of cyber-security and the need for investment in infrastructure.
  • The Minister agreed to meet Vicky Ford and representatives from the London insurance market to discuss improving cyber-security quality marks.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Vicky Ford Con
Energy Business & Trade
Context

Following cyber-attacks in her constituency in 2019, Vicky Ford asks about steps being taken to strengthen cyber security.

Question

I am concerned that while the government is taking action on critical infrastructure and organisations, many small businesses are not adequately protected or insured against cyber attacks. Chelmsford has a large cluster of insurance companies outside London; will the Minister meet me and representatives from these firms to discuss how an improved quality mark for cyber-security could increase insurance availability?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I would be very happy to do so. As my right hon. Friend points out, cyber-insurance plays a vital role in helping to build resilience and we have a shared interest in developing it. The National Cyber Security Centre has stood up the cyber-insurance industry working group which is working through all these issues. I have met with Lloyd's of London, and both I and Treasury Ministers will be happy to have further such meetings.

Answered
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Q2 Vicky Ford Con
Science & Technology Standards & Ethics
Context

The Auditor General's recent speech highlighted the lack of investment in upgrading cyber security infrastructure, making the Government vulnerable to attacks.

Question

Has the Secretary of State read the speech made by the Auditor General this week about cyber-security which said that lack of investment in upgrading our infrastructure makes the Government vulnerable to cyber-attack? Is he comfortable that we are safe from such attack?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I am aware of the speech and I have spoken on many occasions about the challenges we face on cyber-security. It is an increasing threat landscape, but the Government are taking a range of actions to improve our cyber-security, not least GovAssure which was announced last year. That is about going through the cyber-security of all Departments to bring it up to scratch.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the Auditor General's specific concerns about investment in infrastructure and the current vulnerability status.

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Q3 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Context

The British Library incident is a recent reminder of the high cost and security risk posed by cyber-attacks, with many Government Departments having red-rated IT systems.

Question

Given that the government's cyber-security strategy highlights the need for transparent central governance to oversee cross-government cyber security risks, will he set out the timetable for remedying this situation and explain how he will keep Parliament updated on progress?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We are developing remediation plans which will be in place by next year. We are tracking progress and confident that we will achieve over £1 billion in efficiency savings and greater resilience by next year.

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Q4 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

Chelmsford is home to a large cluster of insurance companies outside London, prompting questions about the availability of cyber-insurance for businesses.

Question

Will the Minister meet with Vicky Ford and representatives from the London insurance market to discuss improving the quality mark for cyber-security, thereby increasing cover availability?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I would be very happy to do so. As my right hon. Friend points out, cyber-insurance plays a vital role in helping to build resilience and we have a shared interest in developing it.

Answered
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