Innovation Asset Blog

UK bombarded with 'massive' intellectual property attacks

The UK government is facing a "real and credible" security threat on its massive expanse of private information and intellectual property. Speaking to the International Institute for Strategic Studies Wednesday, GCHQ director Iain Lobban declared that malicious software, email and other digital mediums have already significantly disrupted government systems.

The director also claimed that UK computer networks are the target of some 1,000 cyber attacks each month, plus 20,000 randomly distributed infected emails. A massive security campaign has begun to track down and deter theft of state intellectual property.

"In order to flourish, a knowledge economy needs to protect from exploitation the intellectual property at the heart of the creative and high-tech industry sectors," said Lobban to an audience of academics and officials. "It needs to maintain the integrity of its financial and commercial services."

Lobban also called for state and private telecommunications cooperation in developing technologies and methods for deflecting information security threats.

The rapid surge of cyber attacks in recent years can be attributed to the government's growing online presence. The tenor of Lobban's speech suggested that the development of substantial cyber defenses - through digital software and state legislation - must be promoted in order to thwart a looming economic and intellectual onslaught from cybercriminals and rogue states. 

Peter Ackerman

Peter Ackerman

Founder & CEO, Innovation Asset Group, Inc.