A new UK-Israeli partnership will work on protecting cyber-physical technology from hackers, Cabinet Office minster Matt Hancock has announced.
Speaking on a trip to Israel, Hancock said that experts and academics from both countries would work on security in the area – which covers physical entities such as machinery that are controlled by online technology.
Hancock also launched a competition to source new ideas in the area which also covers the internet of things and driverless cars.
Hancock said: “Perhaps no two countries know more, in times both historic and present, of the need to fight for our security, to keep our people safe and free. While very real physical battles persist, the new frontier in that fight is the cyber war.
“Together, we must ensure that cyberspace is resilient to malicious attacks, and remains open and free for the innovation and progress that is the embodiment of the human spirit. Our task is no less than that.”
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The minister also announced that cyber security bodies, CERT-UK and CERT-IL will strengthen their engagement and provide “greater situational awareness” by sharing incident information, malware analysis, methodologies, policies and best practice.
Hancock is currently touring Israel with a group of businesses, in an attempt to showcase products and uncover opportunities for collaboration.
Hancock said: “We want to boost our trade, encourage even more Israeli investment in the UK and oppose those calling for boycotts.”