NCSC Annual Review 2021

The past year has been challenging for us all. During Covid-19 we went online to shop, learn, work, and stay in touch with family and friends more than ever before. With this huge shift has come an equally strong effort by criminal groups to exploit individuals and businesses with scams. From household goods to vaccine appointments, there have been few avenues criminals have not tried to exploit.

Throughout, the NCSC has delivered real-world impact across the UK and internationally. From protecting our most critical services, building NHS resilience and securing vaccine supply, to supporting individuals and stopping opportunistic cyber criminals, to working with like-minded international partners at the G7 and NATO on the most pressing cyber issues, the NCSC continues to lead the way in seeking to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

This year’s annual review demonstrates the incredible work and commitment of the NCSC to tackle these threats, strengthen the UK’s cyber ecosystem and bolster our cyber security. Yet it also recognises there remains much more to do in particular to grow skills. This year also marks the culmination of the 5-year National Cyber Security Strategy. As we look back, this government and the NCSC can be proud of its achievements in delivering ambitious, world leading policies and services to protect the UK in cyberspace since 2016.

However, cyberspace is continually evolving. As technology and the way people use it changes, it is vital that cyber remains a priority. The UK must be ready to face these challenges; be more resilient and prepared to compete as well as co-operate. This is why we are taking a new, comprehensive approach to strengthen our position as a responsible and democratic cyber power. The new National Cyber Strategy (NCS) will help chart the UK’s course through the cyber age, broadening the scope beyond cyber security to consider the full range of our cyber capabilities and our approach to cyberspace, and giving greater weight to the underpinning technologies and the international environment.

The NCS will take a whole of society approach to cyber, which is underpinned by our values and alliances. Government, industry and the public, in partnership, have an important
role in helping make the UK and the lives and livelihoods of its people resilient to the threats, and ready for the opportunities ahead.

The Rt Hon Steve Barclay, MP. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office