We are connected today in more ways than ever before. Not only is the Internet accessed via our personal computers or mobile phones, but as we’re adopting connected devices at an increasing rate, we can gain access through technology such as smart devices in our homes. While this is positive for us and our economy, it has also made cybersecurity increasingly more challenging.

Traditional cyber security practice is no longer enough

Cyber security efforts are focused on mitigations and keeping up with software patches. This places the primary responsibility on the users. Although, there are new approaches to ensure products and services are more secure through steps such as the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill. In a world of increasing diversity of connected devices, we can’t expect regulation and legislation alone to solve the problem by themselves.

There is a need for technology providers to ask how they can provide cyber protection. How can their products be more secure by design and how can mistakes in development or configuration that lead to cyber vulnerabilities be prevented from exploitation?

The revolutionary DSbD approach

The Digital Security by Design (DSbD) Programme’s vision is to radically update the foundations of insecure computing infrastructure and to deliver secure-by-design technology. It exists to overcome market failure stopping industry from introducing new technologies to block vulnerabilities. By overcoming this barrier, academia and industry along with UK Government, have the opportunity to fix the foundations to build a safer and more resilient digital society.

“Within Government, we want to help support and create a new ecosystem for people using and adopting this new technology and help UK businesses overcome any commercial or performance barriers to improving the security of their projects. Our National Cyber Strategy 2022 is to make the UK into a leading global cyber power.”

– Andrew Elliot, Deputy Director, Cyber Security at Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) London