In 2009 the UK government announced that British intelligence
agencies led by the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ),
were to ‘step up’ operations against a growing threat of cyber-attacks
in the UK. The drive to counteract cyber crime was part of a “national
security strategy” update.Cyberspace, according to the Cabinet Office, was a new arena in which “hostile states, terrorists, and criminals….. can threaten UK security interests”. (1)
In a ‘coy’ press briefing about the level of cyber attacks in the UK, the British Home Office security minister, Lord West, declined to comment when asked about what countries had been involved in attempting to attack British government systems. Lord West, however, had been much clearer when making reference to GCHQ, stating that British agencies had the capacity to ‘counter attack hostile computer systems’. (1)
In the same Guardian report, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson, Tom Brake, insisted that this new cyber-security strategy could lead to an “extension of the government’s invasive counter-terrorism powers, which already pose significant threats to our civil liberties.” (1)
Whilst in 2009 there may have been a drive by British intelligence agencies to fight cyber crime, update “national security”, and extend counter-terrorism powers, ironically, two years later, it has emerged that more than 200 members of cyber crime staff at the GHHQ in Cheltenham have taken early retirement.
Hackers Becoming More Aggressive
The loss of 200 jobs, whereby the retirement payouts have totalled £23 million, is part of a drive to cut costs. As Iain Lobban, GCHQ director reportedly admitted to a committee of MPs and peers that he had been forced to take action in order to ‘balance the books’. (2)Unable to match the ‘pay and perks’ of the communication giants, such as Microsoft and Google, the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) – which manages the GCHQ – had previously admitted that it was struggling to keep hold of internet cyber crime experts. (2)
With the UK government unable to match the private salaries of the international computing conglomerates amidst growing demand for computer ‘whizzes’, Mr Lobban warned that preserving cyber security experts at GCHQ was going to get worse.
So how will losing 200 ‘critical’ cyber crime staff at Cheltenham’s top secret spy centre affect UK security?
With the London Olympic Games now just days away, security in the UK has never been so alert. From a huge ‘Alcatraz-like’ fence laden with security cameras surrounding the Olympic Park, to police being equipped with sonic weapons, security in London at present is so tight that it has been criticised as being turning London into a ‘highly militarised police state.’ (3)
During the run-up to the Olympics the UK Home Office warned that cyber crime is as bigger threat to the UK’s national security as terrorism. (4)
As MI5 Chief Jonathan Evans refers to the extent of cyber attacks in the UK already on an “industrial level”, Richard Clarke, the Home Office Security and Counter Terrorism Department director told delegates at the recent National Security 2012 Conference in London that hackers are becoming more aggressive.
A Threat to National Security
“No doubt the treat is being spread across a wider area than ever.
But you don’t need many people to mount a threat in the UK,” said
Richard Clarke. (4)It also seems ironic that during what is undoubtedly a hugely critical time for the UK, with all eyes upon London, security estimates for the Games have rocketed from £282 million to £553 million, whilst the UK’s top security centre is being forced to let go of leading cyber crime experts due to budgetary concerns.
Adding to the incongruity of huge security efforts being made in the UK during the Olympics whilst 200 cyber crime jobs have been axed at Britain’s leading top secret centre is the fact when the UK Home Office itself admitted that cyber crime is as bigger threat to national security as terrorism.
I feel compelled to mention when writing about the GCHQ that my great aunt was employed at the GCHQ in 1940 and worked at the top secret centre for more than 30 years.
Joan Pickard was an executive officer at the Cheltenham Headquarters, although she refused to tell myself or my family what she actually did there.
My great aunt was sworn to observe the official secrets act, which she did scrupulously. The only thing Joan Pickard did ever say about her work to me was “I think the country is a little safer because of my life’s work.”
Sadly, my great aunt passed away in 2008, so I cannot ask her about her thoughts on the place where she dedicated so much of her life. I can’t ask her what she thinks about the loss of 200 positions due to insufficient funding that could come at the peril of the national security of the UK.
My bet is that she would turn in her grave.
Despite the promises of a bonus system for cyber crime experts with specialist skills working at GCHQ in a bid to stop these ‘critical staff’ from leaving the UK’s leading spy centre, the situation at GCHQ has deteriorated.
200 crucial staff taking early retirement at a time when cyber crime is at ‘unprecedented levels’ is a tragedy that could seriously threaten the security of Great Britain.
References & Image Credits:
(1) The Guardian
(2) SouthWest Business
(3) The Vigilant Citizen
(4) Computer Active
(5) Standard
