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Information Security
Overview
According to research commissioned by the then DTI, the Information Security market was worth £865 million in the UK in 2002 and its value has only increased since then. The UK industry is widely recognised to be highly innovative and has led the way in the development of standards and good practices, notably with the BS 7799 (now international) standards. However, it has generally failed to build successful mass-market suppliers in a market that is dominated by overseas companies, particularly from the US. In practice the market is fragmented on both the supplier and the user side. Many companies have no single point of responsibility for their information security, and purchasing is often split across several departments. Information Security still tends to be viewed as a technical matter rather than a mainstream business issue.
This BIS Information Security Policy Team focuses on policy, both domestic and international, to embed good security practice within the UK business community.
- Since the early 1990s until 2008 the Department (in partnership with industry) produced a biennial Information Security Breaches Survey, intended to help businesses understand the information security risks they face. The 2008 Survey (the main Technical Report and the Executive Summary) is available to download or order from this site - please go to Downloads. For further information on the Survey please visit www.security-survey.gov.uk
- In partnership with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MYCCI), BIS helped produce an interactive e-learning package which aims to be both practical and appealing. Please visit www.bobs-business.co.uk
- We represent the information security needs of businesses, both within the UK and internationally, to promote the development of appropriate international standards and a regulatory framework that is conducive to the uptake of electronic commerce. In particular BIS is a member of the Management Board of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA). Further information is available at www.enisa.europa.eu
- We work with businesses to develop solutions to emerging problems including initiatives such as the arrangements for Trusted Third Parties that provide cryptographic services