Tories blast government security policies and call for appointment of a new 'cyber minister'

In a speech at the annual e-Crime Congress in London, David Davis MP criticised the way the government is dealing with data security issues. The Shadow Home Secretary went on to present the Conservative Party’s plans to change the national policy regarding Internet crime.

He suggested the appointment of a Minister for Cyber Security, who would be solely responsible for tackling cyber crime as part of a wave of tough new measures. He also condemned the governments current policy, saying that ‘the Government’s naïve reliance on massively centralised data systems and its recklessness towards personal data has left individuals and society vulnerable. Its strategic approach has managed at one and the same time to create systems that are valuable, vulnerable and attractive to attack.’

He was also critical of the I.D. card, which is strongly supported by the Labour Party, claiming that the scheme would never be able to provide a guarantee of 100% security.

He pointed the finger at Labour for continuing to ignore cyber crime, which he described as a ‘serious threat to individuals, businesses and government.’

The proposed Tory policies were outlined in the Party’s white paper, ‘Cyber Crime in the U.K.’, and are aimed at protecting the ‘future security, economic and personal interests of this country.’ The paper demands stricter action on e-crime and the creation of new authorities equipped to deal with it.

Among the suggestions are a proposal to create a Police National Security Cyber Crime Unit, as well as setting up a team within the Crown Prosecution Service dedicated to fighting cyber crime and the appointment of a Home Office Security Minister.

In a response to the criticism, the Home Office released a statement which outlined the measures already being taken by the government regarding the issue of Internet crime, including legislation supporting the prosecution of cyber criminals who steal information, attack IT systems or who create the technology used in such attacks, the implemtation of whicch is being currently overseen by department minister Vernon Croaker.

In the statement, the Home Office said that ‘the Government has allocated £29 million over three years to implement the recommendations of the Fraud Review. This includes the creation of a National Fraud Strategic Authority (NFSA) which will drive forward a comprehensive strategy for tackling fraud, bringing together the Government, criminal justice practitioners, business and the public. This helps form the basis of better prevention advice and alerts to fraud threats for business and the public.’