Tag Archives: national security

Military Theatres and Battlefield Tech: Archetypal OT, Misgoverned as ICT

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This article examines how military theatres, battlefield systems, and drone technologies are quintessential Operational Technology (OT) environments, yet are often mismanaged under traditional ICT frameworks. It highlights the real-time, cyber-physical, and life-critical nature of defence systems, and argues for a shift toward mission-aware OT security governance to prevent strategic and kinetic failures.

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A Brief History of the Term Cyber (Meaning Cybersecurity)

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This article explores how the word cyber evolved from its academic roots in cybernetics to its current role as shorthand for cybersecurity. It traces the rise of cyberpunk fiction, the growing association with digital threats in the 1990s, and how UK policy frameworks adopted and institutionalised the term, culminating in the creation of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). From Greek etymology to modern geopolitics, cyber has shifted from describing control to denoting risk.

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Driving Cyber Resilience in the Defence Supply Chain: Summary of Key Actions and Recommendations and Some Thoughts

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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has issued a call to action for Defence industry CEOs and Defence Leads, underlining the critical importance of enhancing cyber resilience across the Defence supply chain, “Letter from the Second Permanent Secretary, DG Chief Information Officer and DG Commercial to Defence industry CEOs/Defence Leads“. The letter, signed by Paul Lincoln, Second Permanent Secretary; Charles Forte, DG Chief Information Officer; and Andrew Forzani, DG Commercial, stresses the heightened global cyber threat landscape and the need for immediate and robust action to safeguard the UK’s Defence capabilities.

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Navigating the Defence and National Security Sector: Lessons from James Gayner MBE

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James Gayner MBE provides a comprehensive overview of how startups can engage with the defence and national security sectors. Learn how to navigate the complex procurement landscape, build relationships with prime contractors, and overcome the hurdles faced by SMEs in this challenging but rewarding space.

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Sun Microsystems Leads the Charge on Cloud Sovereignty and Security: Wayne Horkan, Sun CTO for the UK and Ireland, to form Cloud Security Forum

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In May 2009, at the Cloud Expo Europe in London, I announced my intention to form a cross-sector forum aimed at addressing the pressing security issues surrounding cloud computing. The goal was to ensure that cloud computing, especially as it becomes a critical part of the UK’s national infrastructure, remains secure and compliant with UK laws and regulations.

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