The head of GCHQ has claimed the UK and its allies face a moment of reckoning where the global direction of cybersecurity may not be shaped and controlled by the west.
Jeremy Fleming claimed the UK has to do more to develop its own technologies as well as working side-by-side with its western allies to create better cyber-defences if it wants to remain dominant going forward.
While Fleming did not mention any specific enemies, The Guardian stated it is highly believed his remarks were largely aimed at China and its growing strength in developing high technology. Furthermore, the growing concerns around Russia and the recent state-sponsored SolarWinds hack of US government departments also represent an increasing challenge to the west.
While the UK has world-class universities and a strong tech sector he claimed not keeping pace with Russia and China would produce consequences, saying historic strength does not mean the UK will be in the future.
Fleming said, ?Cybersecurity is an increasingly strategic issue that needs a whole-nation approach. The rules are changing in ways not always controlled by the government. And without action, it is increasingly clear that the key technologies on which we will rely for our future prosperity and security wont be shaped and controlled by the west. We are now facing a moment of reckoning.p>
The GCHQ chief also remarked that the UK needs to ensure a diversity of supply in technologies that underpin the country security and prosperity and must maintain a foothold in ultra-high-speed quantum computing, AI and bioscience to remain competitive. Furthermore, he cited policymakers, teachers and academics as the vehicles for building the scientific and technical skills needed.
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