By Karen Moss
In the wake of a string of attacks by hacking groups, a new not-for-profit organisation has been formed to help tackle cyber crime. The International Cyber Security Protection Alliance (ICSPA) was launched today with the support of businesses like Yodel and McAfee, government ministers and Europol.
Yodel, a parcel delivery company, was one of the founder members of the group alongside McAfee, the security technology company. ICSPA is a global organisation established to channel funding, expertise and assistance directly to assist law enforcement cybercrime units in both domestic and international markets.
It is supported by the Prime Minister and chaired by David Blunkett MP.
ICSPA will work with the UK and foreign governments, law enforcement organisations and businesses to identify areas of vulnerability and to fund targeted programmes that will boost protection against cybercrime.
David Cameron says: “Our government has already injected an additional £650m to help improve our national infrastructure and protect against acts of cybercrime. However, by the very nature of this threat calls for more than a national response; it demands a truly global response. By forging new relationships between businesses, governments and law enforcement officers all over the world, by investing in new training and by building an international exchange of expertise, the ICSPA is forming a network powerful enough and wide enough to face down cybercrime. “
John Lyons, CEO of the ICSPA, adds: “This unique initiative combining business expertise and resources to work closely with governments in support of law enforcement in their fight against cybercrime globally, is probably our best chance of taking on cybercrime groups who feel they have free reign to do what they like on the Internet with little risk of being apprehended or disrupted.”