22 August 2018
The States of Guernsey and Government of Jersey have jointly commissioned a feasibility study to identify the best model for a cyber security incident response capability that will operate across both islands.
Both Jersey and Guernsey published cyber security strategies that identified the need for an incident response capability. This resource would be able to support government, critical national infrastructure and potentially local businesses to respond to significant cyber security incidents, while also promoting cyber security awareness across the islands.
The study is expected to deliver a final report by the end of the year that will provide a detailed business case for the recommended model. A separate project to set up the preferred solution will commence in 2019.
Following a tender process, Atkins (a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group) was appointed to undertake the study. During the next three months Atkins will be conducting targeted stakeholder engagement across both islands. This will include interaction with:
- Government
- Critical National Infrastructure organisations
- Business groups
- Regulators
- Cyber security experts
The Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator John Le Fondré, said:
"The government is committed to ensuring that Jersey remains a safe place to live and do business online. The development of an appropriate incident response capability was a key commitment in our Cyber Security Strategy and an ambition we share with our colleagues in Guernsey.
"Since both islands published their cyber security strategies, we have worked to establish a close relationship with the UK's National Cyber Security Centre and launch a Channel Islands section of the UK's Cyber Information Sharing Platform. This project is another excellent example of how we can deliver better outcomes by working together."
Deputy Mary Lowe, President of the Committee for Home Affairs, States of Guernsey, said:
"This is an important piece of work and an excellent example of Guernsey and Jersey working together on issues where there are clear crossovers between the two islands. Since the publication of our cyber strategy late last year, we have worked with the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure that, for the first time, we can call on them for support if there is a major cyber-attack. Equally, while we already have on-island capability to react and manage lower level attacks, we need to ensure that we can deal with a far wider range given the ever-increasing threat such attacks pose."
While Atkins will directly contact relevant stakeholders, anyone who wishes to have their say is able to contribute by emailing cybersecurity@gov.je.
gov.je