Guernsey’s government is beefing up efforts to protect against cyber-attacks.
Its new Cyber Security Strategy sets out to protect the States, businesses and individuals as the threat of attacks increases, and in the wake of a series of high profile global incidents.
The Home Affairs Committee is fronting the plan, saying it’s vital to ensure a stable and prosperous economy.
Cyber security describes the technology, processes and safeguards that are used to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access.
Deputy Mary Lowe, President of Home Affairs Committee, said: “Over the last couple of years, we have all become increasingly aware of the threat of cyber criminality, for example the high-profile attack on the NHS; indeed the UK recognises cyber security as a tier 1 threat alongside things such as international terrorism.”
“While Guernsey has a low crime rate, unfortunately cyber-crime doesn’t recognise geographic boundaries. As we ensure Guernsey remains safe and secure for islanders and business, it is important that we have a strategy for dealing with this.”
The Strategy looks at three broad areas:
- Strategic: Where a cyber incident may cause serious damage to human welfare on a national level. This could affect the core functioning of government, have a major impact on our critical national infrastructure or have a significant impact across any of our principal business sectors.
- Tactical: Where a cyber incident has a significant and severe impact on a particular sector but not a national level effect. This could include an attack affecting a specific part of government, a targeted attack on a specific business sector or a discrete part of our critical national infrastructure.
- Operational: Where a cyber incident has an impact on a discrete group of individuals or businesses. These are likely to be characterised by attacks against an individual, or group of individuals, or a single business.
You can read the full Cyber Security Strategy here.
