The UK government’s cyber emergency response unit is reportedly set to go live on 31 March 2014, nearly 15 months after plans for the digital squadron were revealed in December 2012.
Being commissioned as part of the government’s £650m cyber security scheme, the new UK Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-UK) would strengthen the country’s cyber resilience to defend critical systems including power and water stations from criminal and state-backed attacks.
According to the UK Cabinet Office, the launch day is considered as ‘a key milestone in the development of the UK’s cyber security capabilities’ which would initiate a ‘first phase’, as part of an incremental launch, the Guardian noted.
Originally slated to be delivered 12months from the date of announcement, the project was delayed over issues, in addition to the division’s requirement for more personnel, improved technology and a headquarters.
Over the last year, the government has been working together with law enforcement bodies, and several industry-specific CERTs to build an effective response unit.
Key contributors included National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) and Janet Computer Security Incident Response Team.
UK Jisc’s Janet network spokesperson said Janet CSIRT has been working closely behind the scenes with CERT-UK to share and enhance its experience in incident response.
"The new CERT-UK team already shares incident data with CSIRT in real time over the Janet network, and both organisations work collaboratively on the latest cyber threats to the education and research sector and the UK as a whole," the spokesperson added.
"We expect that CERT-UK will provide a single point of co-ordination through which the existing UK incident response community can pool their efforts to secure UK cyberspace."
