•
We will work to uphold an open and
interoperable internet as the best
model to support global prosperity
and wellbeing, resisting the pressure
of authoritarian states towards
fragmentation and their idea of
internet sovereignty
•
We will make lawful, proportionate
and responsible use of our cyber
capabilities, supported by clear
oversight and engagement with
the public and our allies, and
we will hold others to account
for reckless or indiscriminate
behaviour in cyberspace
•
We will take action against the
criminal use of cyberspace by
all means available, calling out
those who use criminal proxies or
harbour criminal groups in their
territories and working to prevent
the proliferation of high-end cyber
capabilities to criminals
•
We will champion an inclusive,
multistakeholder approach to
debates about the future of
cyberspace and digital technology,
upholding human rights in
cyberspace and countering moves
towards digital authoritarianism
and state control
Key shifts in our approach
48. In many areas our strategy will
build on our current approach, seeking
to enhance, expand or adapt our
efforts where necessary. The main
distinctions from the National Cyber
Security Strategy 2016-2021 are set out
below and reflect our broader ambition
to cement the UK’s position as a
leading cyber power.
19
49. A commitment to keeping the
UK at the cutting edge on cyber.
The government will be investing
£2.6 billion in cyber and legacy IT
over the next three years. This is in
addition to significant investment in
the National Cyber Force announced
in Spending Review 2020 (SR20). It
includes a £114 million increase in the
National Cyber Security Programme;
and is alongside increases in investment
also announced in research and
development (R&D), intelligence,
defence, innovation, infrastructure and
skills, all of which will contribute in part
to UK cyber power. Investment in cyber
announced in SR20 and Spending
Review 2021 (SR21) far exceeds the
£1.9 billion over five years committed to
the previous strategy.19
50. A more comprehensive National
Cyber Strategy. Cyber security
remains at the heart of this strategy,
but it now draws together the full range
of the UK’s capabilities inside and
outside government. It gives greater
weight to the critical technologies and
infrastructure that underpin cyberspace,
supports UK cyber companies both
to grow domestically and compete
internationally, steps up international
action to shape and influence the future
of cyberspace, and integrates offensive
cyber as a lever of power. It calls for
a truly joined up, national strategic
approach. The strategy distributes
responsibilities for leadership and
coordination across Secretaries of State,
and much more closely involves the
devolved administrations. This builds on
our success at coordinating effort across
government, which is a key UK strength.
HM Treasury, Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 (2021)
34 National Cyber Strategy
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