The National Security Strategy has revealed that cyber attacks now pose as great a threat to the UK as acts of terrorism.
The news came just days after The Courier highlighted that Abertay University in Dundee was the first in the UK to teach the skills to counter such threats.
Responding to the NSS document, one of the pioneers of the university’s cyber security courses called for more focus on training the next generation of computer security specialists.
Dr Les Ball said, “The Home Secretary is absolutely right.
“The threat of cyber attacks is very real, is growing every day, and requires highly skilled professionals to protect the computer systems the UK’s infrastructure relies on.
“It was this worry which led to Abertay launching these new courses, including the postgraduate degree in intelligence and security informatics.
“To properly tackle the threat of terrorist organisations and cyber attacks, it’s no longer enough to be good at just computing or psychological profiling.
“The next generation of experts must understand how to collect and analyse data from every possible source be it biometrics, behavioural psychology or computer systems.
“Fighting the threat of cyber attacks requires true multidisciplinary professionals, which is why we’ve developed these new courses.”
Despite cuts some reports suggest cyber security may actually receive a boost of around £500 million.
Ahead of the spending review, such a large extra investment would show just how seriously the UK Government is taking the threat of cyber attacks.
Dr Ian Ferguson, course leader of the digital forensics degree, said, “Until recently hacking attacks and the threat of cyber warfare has been against information targets like banks or the media.
“With the recent Stuxnet attacks on Iranian nuclear power plants, we are seeing the start of something new attacks intended to do physical damage to key infrastructure like power and transport networks.
“I moved to Abertay University precisely because of its focus on teaching and research across multiple subject areas.
“We need professionals who understand the technology, as well as understanding the behaviour patterns of hackers and terrorists.”