U.k’s Counter-terrorism Strategy Focuses On Four Work Streams - Pursue, Prevent, Protect And Prepare

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Recently, United Kingdom (U.K) launched its new counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST). The new strategy has identified growing use of online technology by terrorist organizations for perpetrating crime. The report identifies easy availability of software to encrypt mobile phone voice and Short Message Service (SMS) function in the market, which terrorists could use to perpetrate crime. There lies the threat of misuse of file sharing networks and torrents for distributing sensitive documents and information rapidly. The prevalence of private Internet communities, which allow people to share information and content securely and anonymously also enhance the threat level. Rapidly evolving technologies in the IT sphere provide opportunity to improve productivity and enhance security of data.

Terrorists may leverage the new technologies such as cloud computing, which facilitate storing, sharing and distributing material online. Cloud computing could be encrypted and configured to work with new age mobile devices to delete traces of information. According to the new strategy document, terrorists are now calling for cyber jihad ...
... and are leveraging new technologies, especially the Internet to communicate, share, spread and reinforce their ideas. Social media sites have become immensely popular and have revolutionized the way individuals communicate, interact and share pictures and videos with peers, friends, relatives and even institutions.

However, terrorist organizations attempt to use the same medium for malicious purposes. The government opines that terrorist organizations may use microblogging sites to quickly disseminate extremist content to large number of people. The strategy acknowledges the availability of tools and techniques to launch cyber-attack. The U.K government has outlined four work streams – Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare to combat terrorism. The strategy aims to counter the spread of extremist ideology by coordinating with civil society groups as well as through development of online media hubs. The government intends to work with the industry to assess the suitability of security standards. The strategy emphasizes on assessment of vulnerabilities of critical government systems and networks, particularly those systems, which allow departments to interact online with people and make financial transactions.

Government bodies must also focus on improving cyber security awareness among Internet users. They must encourage educational institutions and Universities to devise online IT courses at both undergraduate and graduate level to provide understanding of security fundamentals, prevalent threats, and inculcate cyber security practices.

Employees are one of the weakest links in the security chain. Cyber-attackers may target employees related to critical government bodies through spear phishing and targeted attacks. As such, government bodies must place high emphasis on training employees on different types of security threats, communication policy, use of sensitive personal information, document download policy, precautions while using social media sites and interacting with strangers. Employees may take advantage of online IT degree programs to gain insights on best practices and contribute in improving the security conscious culture.

The growing threats require professionals to update their skills at regular intervals. Organizations may tie up with Universities and IT training institutes for IT degree programs and security certifications aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of professionals.