Automatic defences to stop hackers hijacking websites or spoofing official domains will get a boost from a £1.9bn government cyber-security strategy.

Chancellor Philip Hammond will give details of the plans in a speech later.

Other defences that intercept booby-trapped emails or shut down thieves impersonating bank websites will also be expanded.

The strategy will also help enlarge specialist police units that tackle organised online gangs.

Some cash will go towards education and training of cyber-security experts.

Mr Hammond is expected to formally launch the scheme, called the National Cyber Security Strategy, on Tuesday.

Three areas are identified by the strategy: defence, deter and develop.

Defence involves protecting critical national infrastructure in areas such as energy and transport, as well as Government websites, with automated techniques.

A “significant” chunk of the £1.9bn will go to the part of the “deter” strategy that covers “taking the fight to those who threaten Britain in cyberspace and relentlessly pursuing anyone who persists in attacking us”.

The “develop” strand of the strategy involves developing talent among students and researchers, as well as researching new cyber security technologies.

Mr Hammond said: “Britain is already an acknowledged global leader in cyber security thanks to our investment of over £860m in the last parliament, but we must now keep up with the scale and pace of threats we face.”

In 2015, the Government’s National Security Strategy identified cyber security as a ‘tier 1’ risk to the UK, the same level of risk as terrorism and global instability.

For more information on this, please visit the BBC News article.

Don’t Forget
Complete the new 2016 Cyber Crime survey, so we can see the full scope of Cyber Crime in Warwickshire, and across West Mercia and the West Midlands – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RegionalCyber16

For more information about our work, please visit www.safeinwarwickshire.com/cybercrime

Cyber Aware is a cross-government campaign, funded by the National Cyber Security Programme. They aim to measurably and significantly improve the online safety behaviour and confidence of consumers and small businesses (SMEs).

Get Safe Online is the UK’s leading source of factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety. Their website offers advice on how you can protect yourself, your computers and devices, and your business against the likes of fraud, identity theft, viruses and other potential online problems.

ThinkUKnow is a national website which offers tailored advice to young people about online safety concerns. There is also a section on there if you are a parent/carer or a teacher who is concerned about a young person’s safety online.