Five Eyes launch shared security advice campaign for tech startups
Above: Secure innovation is a campaign backed by the Five Eyes intelligence partnership.
Courtesy NCSC
Members of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership this week launched shared security guidance Secure Innovation to help protect emerging technology companies from a range of threats, particularly those from nation-state actors.
The launch of this joint protective security guidance aimed at protecting the tech sector from national security threats follows last October’s unprecedented summit which brought together the heads of the domestic security and intelligence agencies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US to announce Five Shared Principles to protect technology companies.
Previously a UK-only initiative from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - a part of GCHQ - and National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) - a part of MI5 - the full Secure Innovation guidance is now available in separate regional versions across all Five Eyes countries.
Technology companies in the UK can also create a bespoke action plan which supports them to assess their levels of secure innovation and identify any necessary actions they need to take to protect their business - over 500 have already done so.
Secure Innovation provides the tech sector with a set of cost-effective measures that companies can take from day one to better protect their ideas, reputation and future success.
This announcement demonstrates the increased commitment from all Five Eyes nations to work collaboratively against this shared threat. Businesses in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US can take advantage of a collection of Secure Innovation resources, guidance and products now available across all Five Eyes countries.
This means companies can benefit from consistent and consolidated advice reflecting both the globalised and interconnected tech startup ecosystem as well as the global nature of the security threats startups face.
MI5 Director General, Ken McCallum said: “Sophisticated nation-state adversaries, like China are working hard to steal the intellectual property held by some of our countries’ most innovative and exciting startups.
“The Five Eyes Secure Innovation advice we’re rolling out today forms part of our response.
“By joining up with our allies and offering consistent advice, we are making it easier for companies working across the world to take steps to keep their ideas and products secure”
The guidance can be found on the NPSA website.
