Briefing  

The coronavirus pandemic has created an explosion in information security awareness and a sense of hyper vigilance. Cybersecurity attacks have increased, especially malware, phishing, vishing and ransomware. As cyber awareness increases, boards, leadership teams and individuals need access to the most reliable sources of information and advice. Excellence, expertise and the ability to communicate security threats, risks, priorities, trends and effective responses are crucial. These trusted insights are vital for companies and organisations.  

Leading Data Security Sources: Centres of Excellence

The organisations below have consistently helped companies, organisations and individuals to identify threats, improve controls, increase training and reduce the risk of cybersecurity breaches and loss of reputation. Covid-19 has reinforced their importance. They understand the national and international security landscape. Their experience spans many sectors. Several of the organisations play a key role in national cybersecurity strategies and so are trusted by governments and the public services.   The organisations raise awareness, issue threat alerts, produce guidance, publish analysis, create training materials, lead certification activities, respond to data breaches, secure critical national infrastructure and work with companies and organisations to improve their cyber resilience.

UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

The NCSC was created in 2016 and spun out of the UK’s GCHQ. It combines the CESG (GCHQ’s information security arm), the Centre for Cyber Assessment (CCA), Computer Emergency Response Team UK (CERT UK) and the cyber-related work of the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI). It has responsibilities across government, for critical national infrastructure protection and the national cyber security strategy. Its guidance, standards-setting, alerts, website, social media, work with all sectors make it a leader in information security.  

National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)

NIST is non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce with a central role of promoting innovation and industrial competitiveness. Its main laboratory programmes include nanoscale science and technology, engineering, information technology, neutron research, material measurement, and physical measurement. For cybersecurity and data privacy, its standards and frameworks are very popular and underpin the information systems of organisations around the world. This work is supported by the Computer Security Resource Center (CSRC). Its guidance, standards, measurements, publications, website and social media output are authoritative.  

The European Agency for Cyber Security (ENISA)

ENISA is an agency of the European Union, created in 2005 and located in Athens and Heraklion in Greece. The agency works with EU Members States to advise, offer solutions and improve cybersecurity capabilities. It builds capacity to respond to large cross-border cybersecurity incidents or crises. It has developed cybersecurity certification schemes since 2015. ENISA acts as a key centre of expertise for member states, EU institutions and private organisations on network and information security. Its guidance, CERT co-ordination, standards, certification schemes, publications, website and social media output are highly influential.  

United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)

US-CERT analyses and reduces cyber threats, vulnerabilities, disseminates cyber threat warnings and coordinates incident response activities. It uses advanced network and digital media analysis to identify malicious activity targeting networks in the United States and abroad. US-CERT is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Its work includes threat analysis and information sharing, digital analytics, operations, communications and international work. Its publications, advisories, alerts, analysis, advice, website and social media output are respected. Its unique selling point is to analyse and disseminate information about the most persistent international cybersecurity threats.

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) – Cyber Division

Created in 2002, the FBI’s Cyber Division leads US national effort to investigate and prosecute internet crimes, cyber based terrorism, espionage, computer intrusions and major cyber fraud. It proactively informs the public about current trends in cybercrime. Its three key priorities are computer intrusion, identity theft and cyber fraud. It works with other agencies and takes part in cross-border initiatives.

Other Influential Data Security Organisations, include:

Australian Cyber Security Centre

Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

National Cyber Security Centre (Ireland)

National Cyber Security Centre (Netherlands)

National Cyber Security Centre (New Zealand)

The National Cybersecurity Agency of France

Cyber Security Agency of Singapore

PS102020