Security 'network' to speed up anti-hacker tools

A new cyber-security 'network' hopes to speed up the development of products that could plug dangerous gaps in businesses' IT defences.

By bringing together experts from industry, universities and government, the Cyber Security Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, hopes to close the gap between research and successfully deployed security systems.

The network, which will be managed by QinetiQ, will help UK firms develop products and services that can improve digital security. For example, these could include biometrics for business security and passport applications systems, and systems to prevent identity fraud.

The group has drawn its steering committee from organisations including Aviva, BP, Visa, British Airways, Cisco and Microsoft. The DTI, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and universities are also represented.

Qinetiq said the KTN will inform government initiatives such as e-Borders and identity cards.

The committee will allocate funds from an initial £1.8m budget for individual projects and working groups, and will also consider what should be covered by the £10m Network Security Innovation Platform which could lead to new research and development projects.

DTI Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury said in a statement: "Cyber security is of crucial importance in a modern digital society and economy. By providing a focus for collaboration and delivery this KTN should establish British industry as the world leader in this area and, ultimately, help in our collective goal of reducing cyber crime and making the digital economy a safer and more attractive proposition for investors."