July 2024
Price: £150 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examined priorities for supporting and enhancing cybersecurity capabilities in the UK, for both the public and private sectors, and next steps for improving resilience.
It was an opportunity to discuss key issues at a time of heightened focus on this area of policy in the run up to the General Election.
Those attending considered issues surrounding accountability, awareness of cybersecurity measures and ways of assuring cyber-readiness. Further areas for discussion included the way forward for threat detection and identification of supply chain risks, and the relationship between geopolitics and cybersecurity.
It was an opportunity to examine the potential of cybersecurity as an enabler of economic growth. Areas for discussion included options for building confidence in technology and digitisation, priorities for supporting businesses in the adoption of best practice, and the way forward for minimising cybersecurity costs.
Discussion also focused on the design, implementation and potential uptake of the draft Cyber Governance Code of Practice, assessing the risks and benefits of a cyber-assurance process.
Further areas for discussion included the implications of emerging technology and AI on cyber defence, and potential use cases as cybersecurity swords and shields. Delegates examined what is needed to tackle the skills gap and improve diversity in the cyber workforce, as well as assessing next steps for widening the talent pool moving forward.
Keynote speakers who have agreed to take part include: Professor John Goodacre, Challenge Director, Digital Security by Design, UK Research and Innovation; Dr Melanie Garson, Cyber & Tech Geopolitics Lead, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change; Dr Simon Learmount, Professor of Corporate Governance, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge; and Dr Claudia Natanson, Chair, Board of Trustees; and Interim CEO, UK Cyber Security Council. We are re-confirming the availability of speakers in the pre-election period.
Discussion in the agenda included:
- policy and regulation:
- assessing progress of deliverables in the National Cyber Strategy 2022, intended to be achieved by 2025 - next steps for achieving resilience targets - building and maintaining long-term cyber resilience
- design, implementation and uptake of the draft Cyber Governance Code of Practice - achieving compliance - operability alongside existing regulatory obligations - options for an assurance process
- critical national infrastructure: maximising resilience against threats - identifying supply chain risk issues - functionality of cyber attack reporting frameworks - accountability of measures
- business: supporting businesses and business leaders in adoption - driving awareness and uptake - building trust in technology - governance and adoption of best practice
- emerging technology and AI: innovative approaches to threat protection - building trust in technology - defence against malicious use - mitigating threats posed by new technologies
- cybersecurity capabilities: addressing issues around emerging threats - maximising resilience - support for investment and implementation of cybersecurity measures - encouraging new entrants
- supporting economic growth: cybersecurity as an enabler of economic growth - supporting the digitisation of businesses - implementing better practice - awareness and acceptance of benefits - minimising cost
- future-proofing industries: supporting sectors that rely on legacy IT systems - role of secure by design technologies - interoperability with existing guidance
- workforce: establishing pathways into the cyber threat workforce - tackling the skills gap - securing the talent pipeline - promoting diversity in the workforce
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues in the presence of key policy officials who attended from the NCSC; Cabinet Office; DBT; UKRI; Ofcom; ICO; DfC, NI; DfE; DESNZ; DoH, NI; DSIT; Department for the Economy, NI; DfT; DHSC; DoF, NI; DWP; GLD; HMRC; HM Treasury; Home Office; MOD; NAO; WRA; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
The proceedings of the conference will be circulated more widely, to Parliamentarians, ministerial offices, and government and regulatory officials with an interest in the issues being discussed. All delegates will also receive a video recording of the conference.
