Network to share security knowledge

A government-backed IT security network that brings together specialists from business, universities and government aims to identify and plug the gaps in information security technology and practice.

The Cyber Security Knowledge Transfer Network, launched last week, will fund research programmes into priority areas of security. Its director, Sadie Creese, said, “The network is going to identify solutions and strategies; new ways of solving problems. We are going to be roadmapping, horizon scanning, investigating threats.”

The network – which is backed by companies including BT, Aviva, BP, Visa and British Airways – will draw on the experience of the finance industry to identify lessons that could be used by the government in developing its national identity card programme.

“It makes absolute sense to turn to an industry that has a good track record on this issue to help understand what works,” said Creese.

Another project aims to develop metrics that will allow businesses to assess how secure they are.