Britain launches cyber-terror strategy
Updated on 25 June 2009
The Government has been accused of a "disgraceful" and "shambolic" treatment of Parliament in the way it released its new strategy to tackle cyber-terrorists.
Home Office Minister David Hanson has been forced to come to the Commons to answer an urgent question on the national security strategy - the first such request granted by new Speaker John Bercow.
Shadow security minister Crispin Blunt said Gordon Brown should have made a statement to the House in person on such a vital issue for the UK's security.
The new Cyber Security Strategy has been launched, with the Prime Minister setting out details in a written statement to MPs.
As part of attempts to beef up defences, a new Office for Cyber Security will be set up to coordinate Government policy.
Another new development will see creation of a "cyber-forensics" team based at GCHQ, the Government's eavesdropping centre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The Cyber Security Operations Centre will constantly monitor, analyse and counter cyber attacks as they happen.
Mr Hanson told the Commons: "We know the importance terrorist groups, notably al Qaida and its affiliates, place on the internet and cyberspace and it is particularly important for propaganda issues.
"We know that terrorists would like to be able to operate more effectively in cyberspace.
"I'm not in the business of scaremongering but we need to look at the issues.
"We do not assess at present that terrorists have capabilities to mount attacks imminently but we must ... prepare as terrorists become more sophisticated."
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