Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cyber-security 2024-01-18 (2)

Thursday 18 January 2024 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is taking steps to protect public services from cyber-threats through its cyber-security strategy.
  • The Government sanctioned 18 criminals involved in spreading ransomware last year.
  • The Secretary of State discussed the recent attack on the British Library at Cabinet and is coordinating activity through the ministerial cyber board.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Democracy & Elections Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises from the need to protect public institutions and services from cyber threats.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to protect public services and institutions from cyber-threats.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We are protecting our public services from cyber-threats through our world-leading Government cyber-security strategy. We sanctioned 18 criminals responsible for spreading a prolific ransomware strain last year, and we exposed the Russian intelligence services for their attempts to target high-profile individuals and entities through cyber-operations.

Answered
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Q2 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Community Security Culture, Media & Sport
Context

In light of a recent attack on the British Library, concern has been raised about potential vulnerabilities in other non-departmental public bodies.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for his response. In the wake of the recent attack on the British Library, will he tell us what assessment the Government have made of potential cyber-attacks on other non-departmental public bodies? How will he ensure that they are not vulnerable to similar attacks and that the country is not brought to a standstill?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to highlight that attack. It demonstrates that such attacks can affect not just central Government; any agency of government can be subject to them. We discussed it at Cabinet this week, and I continue to co-ordinate activity through the ministerial cyber board, ensuring robust preparation with the National Cyber Security Centre and other agencies like the British Library.

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