ARE we in the middle of a global cyber security crisis? Some people think so. The fact a US intelligence assessment judged that Russia, through cyber-attacks, aimed to influence the US presidential election, with the specific goal of harming Hillary Clinton’s electability and potential presidency, gives credence to this argument.
FBI director James Comey told Congress that spear-phishing, a tactic of targeting carefully spoofed emails to trick victims into giving up sensitive credentials or passwords, was no doubt used.
In recent days French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has also condemned alleged Russian cyber attacks targeting the presidential campaign in France.
And just last week, the UK Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon criticised NATO for not being agile enough to prevent Russian cyber-attacks on Europe.
Indeed, the risk that criminals or foreign powers might hack into critical UK computer systems is now ranked as one of the top four threats to national security.
What is clear is that cyber-attacks are a major concern from a national security perspective, and cyber-security is therefore of the utmost importance. It’s also big business; one of the fastest growing industries in the world. With cyber-attacks on the rise, governments and businesses are really sitting up and paying attention.
The Cyber-security Market Report is published quarterly by Cyber-security Ventures predicts global spending on cyber-security products and services will exceed $1 trillion cumulatively over the next five years. The report’s authors anticipate 12-15 percent year-over-year cyber-security market growth through 2021.
Given its growth, cyber-security is an area that Northern Ireland policy-makers have been targeting. We’ve heard various announcements of foreign direct investments by cyber-security companies here.
Last year for example the Economy Minister Simon Hamilton announced that Black Duck Software would create 58 jobs in Belfast, and pointed out that Northern Ireland is becoming a growing player in the cyber security industry, with around 600 people now working in the sector.
The Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Catalyst in Belfast is playing an important role through its research and other work.
Cyber-security is a sector that Novosco is very active in. Last year, we acquired English specialist IT security solutions and managed services expert NetDef to add a world-class security specialism to our service offering. And it’s an area that will only become more and more important to us.
I therefore noted with interest the announcement this month that lessons in cyber security will be delivered to schoolchildren in England in response to growing concerns about a rising skills gap in the industry.
Resources funded by the Cabinet Office and backed by the National Crime Agency will include case studies of international cyber crime attacks and lessons on cryptography and malware.
The plans, which have been designed to give secondary school students an insight into the industry, have been developed to allow teachers to embed cybersecurity lessons into traditional curricular subjects as well as computing.
Teenagers involved in the lessons will be taught about the importance of firewalls, will learn about key malware threats currently facing the UK, and will also gain an understanding of the career opportunities within the industry.
The fact a Commons committee recently warned that a skills shortage was undermining confidence in the UK's cyber defences, highlights the importance of such initiatives to develop skills.
What is beyond doubt is that the demand for skilled people in the area of cyber-security is going to grow exponentially. If Northern Ireland intends to continue to attract FDI in this area and to support the growth of indigenous businesses with cyber security expertise, innovative means of expanding our skills base are going to be of the utmost importance.
:: Patrick McAliskey is managing director Novosco, an indigenous managed cloud company with offices in Belfast, Dublin, Cheshire and Cork. It employs 140 people and works for leading organisations across the UK and Ireland, including many of Northern Ireland's top companies, UK health trusts, councils and other organisations.
