Britain launches cyber security centre, but fails to protect citizens from the biggest hackers of all

The British Government has launched a new centre for fighting cyber security threats. Its website offers abundant advice, yet it neglects to advise citizens on how to protect themselves from the biggest hackers of all. Namely, GCHQ (and its US partner, the NSA). As the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the London arm of GCHQ, this makes perfect sense.

Launching the centre, CEO Ciaran Martin said:

Our job is to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online. We will help secure our critical services, lead the response to the most serious incidents and improve the underlying security of the Internet through technological improvement and advice to citizens and organisations.

Hackers threaten or protect?

GCHQ is an intelligence asset that protects businesses and government. It has the resources to monitor politicians and other nations. The US even asked GCHQ to spy on UN Security Council members.

The tips NCSC gives only go so far. They exclude advice on implementing enhanced security measures useful for avoiding surveillance by consumer organisations and the state. Moreover, they ignore Edward Snowden’s advice on personal privacy.

Turkey would be proud of this law

Ironically, the launch of the NCSC comes in the same week that the Law Commission announced that Britain should adopt draconian anti-transparency measures. It recommends journalists and their sources should be jailed for up to 14 years for revealing government incompetence.

The snooping activities of GCHQ would also be pivotal in securing the prosecution of such journalists and their sources.

Cyber security should not only be a government or business concern, however. It’s about protecting citizens from ALL threats.

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Featured image via Flickr