States struck by 500 cyber attacks daily

Thursday 16 February 2017

States of Jersey system security is being threatened by up to 500 "elevated" cyber attacks per day, while one non-governmental entity has at times been struck by up to 12,000, it has emerged.

Meanwhile, individual islanders are being targeted through “sophisticated” hacking strategies, such as ‘ransomware' – a malicious software designed to block computer system access until a cash sum is paid out – and ‘whaling’, which aims to extract confidential information from high-profile corporate and political players through scam emails masquerading as messages from a legitimate business authority.

The findings were published yesterday in the States’ Cyber Security Strategy report, which details the Government’s plans for 2020 to safeguard critical Government and business information in the digital era.

With security incidents three times more likely to occur within the financial services sector, and attacks more sophisticated and persistent according to the report, the move to create a workable digital security strategy should be welcomed by the Island’s finance industry, which attracts over 80 billion of funding from markets outside the sterling each year.

Pictured: The five pillars of the States' cyber security vision for 2020. (Image: Cyber Security Strategy Report)

Expected to cost £2 million over a three-year period, the proposed strategy seeks to train Jersey’s entire working population in cyber security and establish an on-Island entity established to deal with cyber threats.

According to the report, 95% of information security incidents worldwide involved human error. With this in mind, the States’ Information Services Department (ISD), will develop scenarios involving attacks on islanders – including ransomware – to help islanders better understand and react to future threats.

Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, commented: “While digital technology holds enormous potential to develop our economy and improve the lives of Islanders, we must also acknowledge that it can bring certain risks too. In today’s digitally connected world, cyber security has become a prerequisite for a strong society and a thriving economy, especially within the financial and digital sectors.”

“If Jersey is to continue to evolve as a competitive, future-focussed digital jurisdiction, then we will need to develop and adapt our cyber security approach. This must be done in a way that enables Jersey to benefit from emerging opportunities, such as considerations around data protection.”

While he acknowledged that achieving “absolute cyber security” may not be possible, Senator Gorst added that Jersey was committed to finding a solution, and would work with Guernsey where appropriate.

A public consultation is now underway, which will last until 29 March.

Help keep Jersey a safe place to live and do business - tell us what you think of gov's #CyberSecurity Strategy https://t.co/epXELQOP8a

— States of Jersey (@StatesofJersey) February 15, 2017