Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cyber Threats to Public Institutions and Services

Thursday 25 April 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 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have introduced a new national cyber strategy taking a whole-of-society approach to protect against intensifying cyber threats.
  • We need to do more at secondary school level to encourage more children into cyber-security to address the future supply of cyber professionals.
  • Through the National Cyber Security Centre, we work with House authorities for advice on equipment and security of Members of Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Cryer Lab
Economy Democracy & Elections Science & Technology
Context

The MP is concerned about the increasing cyber threats facing public institutions and services in the UK.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to protect public institutions and services from cyber threats. The cyber threat facing the United Kingdom is intensifying, with state and non-state actors targeting critical national infrastructure, businesses, and democratic institutions.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The Government have introduced a new national cyber strategy taking a whole-of-society approach. High standards of cyber-protection are set for critical industries, and advice is offered to institutions, businesses, and individuals through the help of world-leading agencies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps and mechanisms not detailed

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Q2 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Defence Employment Science & Technology
Context

The MP raises concerns about the future supply of cyber professionals to protect against increasing threats in finance, energy, and retail sectors.

Question

Cyber-security is crucial for defence as well as other sectors like finance, energy, and retail. There are fears about the future supply of cyber professionals. The MP highlights pioneering work at Ebbw Vale College in his constituency and asks what is being done to onshore these critical roles to protect the economy from attacks.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We need to do more at secondary school level to encourage more children into cyber-security. The hon. Gentleman is right that we have tremendous strengths in national cyber security and there are many relevant institutions around the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific initiatives or measures not detailed

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Q3 John Cryer Lab
Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP raises concern about weak cyber security compromising elected representatives and leading to information extraction.

Question

Could the Minister update on what he is doing to provide support and technology specifically to elected representatives to ensure this does not happen in the future?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We established the National Cyber Security Centre, which brings together GCHQ expertise with that of various departments. Through NCSC, we work with House authorities for advice on equipment and security of Members of Parliament. I urge them to contact directly if they have concerns.

Answered
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Q4 Jon Ashworth Lab
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP highlights a sophisticated ransomware attack on Leicester City Council that disrupted services and inconvenienced constituents. He asks about urgent support and guidance offered to local councils.

Question

What urgent support and guidance is he offering local councils, such as mine in Leicester, given more ransomware attacks?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We are working on remediation through the National Cyber Security Centre. To prevent such attacks, £2.6 billion was invested in a national cyber strategy to improve cyber-resilience and reduce legacy technology. We continuously improve performance with intelligence agencies and NCSC.

Answered
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