The UK is set to introduce a new Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC) that will begin rating the severity of cyber events, such as cyber attacks, to help businesses better tackle and learn from these incidents. Starting from Thursday, the centre will focus on incidents that could have a financial impact greater than GBP 100 million, affect multiple organizations, and can be assessed due to available data. The incidents will be rated on a scale of one to five, with one representing the least severe and five the most severe, with the technical committee overseeing the process, chaired by Ciaran Martin, the former CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
The CMC aims to address the growing challenge of measuring cyber incidents’ severity, which has proven difficult in the past. It will provide businesses with the necessary tools to respond and recover from cyber events more effectively. Ciaran Martin expressed confidence that the system would greatly enhance the ability to learn from and tackle such incidents. He also believes that the new rating system, if successful, will ultimately strengthen international cybersecurity efforts. The system will be a key resource for organizations looking to improve their cybersecurity strategies and protect against future incidents.
Once an event is categorized, the CMC will publish a rating alongside a report containing critical information to help organizations protect themselves or recover if impacted. The reports will include expert analysis from the technical committee, which also includes leading experts like a professor of cybersecurity from the University of Oxford and the former director general of technology at GCHQ. This analysis will be provided to organizations free of charge, ensuring that they have access to valuable insights during cyber events to aid their recovery.
Will Mayes, the CEO of the CMC, highlighted the increasing risk of major cyber events as UK organizations rely more heavily on technology. He believes the CMC will improve understanding of cyber events’ implications and help mitigate their impact on businesses and individuals. The centre’s ongoing work is backed by a wide range of experts, whose support will continue to be vital as the CMC evolves and expands its reach in the coming years.
