Government's cyber strategy could extend invasive counter-terror powers - Öpik

4.30.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Jun 2009

Commenting on the Government's publication of a cyber security strategy, alongside the updated National Security Strategy, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, Lembit Öpik said today:

"There is a serious security concern for citizens, because, after all, the Government have shown themselves to be somewhat ineffective in preventing confidential information from falling into the wrong hands.

"Further to the point about Estonia, is the Minister aware of the devastating effect of the first organised cyber war ever launched against a country-namely, Estonia-not only on businesses but on private citizens?

"May I suggest that he recommend that the individuals responsible for developing the strategy here work directly with the Estonian authorities, which have not only experience of what happens when things go wrong but coping strategies to prevent it from happening again? I am sure that that would be useful for my constituents and all constituents across the United Kingdom."

In response, the Minister said:

"We will certainly look at the experience of Estonia and at how we can learn from it. The hon. Gentleman's key point is that everyone needs to have confidence in the use of the cyber network. People need to have confidence that their information is not being hacked into or copied, and that it will not be used for criminal or terrorist purposes. The key objective of the document is to ensure that we help to develop that confidence still further."

Ends/diwedd