NCSC Annual Review 2021
Pages
Page 26 of 44
Technology
The aim of the NCSC’s research programme is to manage long-term critical risks, and
to strengthen the security of the critical systems that the UK relies upon. This includes defence and intelligence networks, national infrastructure, and the technologies used throughout our homes and schools.
The NCSC works with academia (sponsoring four research institutes) and industry partners (via the Initiate Portfolio) to share expertise across cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Research isn’t about quick wins, but it is vital to the UK’s continued cyber security.
For national security reasons, much of the NCSC’s research can’t be described publicly. However, significant research achievements from the last 12 months are summarised in the following pages.
The Initiate Portfolio
Initiate is a cyber security research and innovation portfolio, run by the NCSC, that looks at future solutions for protecting government information. It’s sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, the UK Intelligence Community and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for the common good of them all.