Strategic Challenges in Cyberspace

What is cyber power?

Cyber capabilities are increasingly being used as a strategic tool by countries across the globe. The UK’s 2021 National Cyber Strategy defines cyber power as ‘the ability to protect and promote national interests in and through cyberspace'.

Power, in any context, is nebulous, but there are multiple factors that support the development of a national cyber power ecosystem. These include cyber defence and resilience, hard cyber power projection (such as through offensive and counter cyber), and soft cyber power projection (such as through cyber capacity building). 

For more on defining responsible cyber power, read Miriam Howe’s blog on the topic.

What does cyber power mean to the UK?

Ideas around cyber power are being used around the world to frame government thinking on protecting and promoting national interests in cyberspace, including security, prosperity and values.

In the UK, the focus is on responsible cyber behaviours, with the National Cyber Force’s Responsible Cyber Power in Practice paper re-affirming the aspiration to be a Responsible Cyber Power.
 
The UK National Cyber Strategy and the 2023 Integrated Review also restate the intent from the earlier Integrated Review for the UK to be a leading, responsible, global cyber power in the context of a contested and volatile world.

You can read more on the BAE Systems response to the strategy in our whitepaper: UK National Cyber Strategy: BAE Systems Response, which discusses how the new strategy aims to implement the UK’s aspirations to be a global cyber power and a safer place to live and work online.

How does the UK National Cyber Strategy support its aspirations to be a cyber power? 

The UK National Cyber Strategy sets out five pillars in its strategic framework:

• Pillar 1: Strengthening the UK cyber ecosystem, investing in our people and skills and deepening the partnership between government, academia and industry
• Pillar 2: Building a resilient and prosperous digital UK, reducing cyber risks so businesses can maximise the economic benefits of digital technology and citizens are more secure online and confident that their data is protected
• Pillar 3: Taking the lead in the technologies vital to cyber power, building our industrial capability and developing frameworks to secure future technologies
• Pillar 4: Advancing UK global leadership and influence for a more secure, prosperous and open international order, working with government and industry partners and sharing the expertise that underpins UK cyber power
• Pillar 5: Detecting, disrupting and deterring our adversaries to enhance UK security in and through cyberspace, making more integrated, creative and routine use of the UK’s full spectrum of levers

What are the hallmarks of a leading global cyber power?

Though they may use different terminology, or frame the questions in a different way, other international governments are grappling with the same issues. These require a national and international debate about the future of cyber. 

Nation states seeking to build their own cyber power could consider the following objectives:

• Power projection through showing international leadership in national cyber defence capabilities, supported by the cyber defence ecosystem.
• A clear and holistic cyber strategy for the nation, led by a strong national cyber agency co-opting all parts of government, industry and society.
• A strong technology sector that drives prosperity, enables and contributes to national cyber defences, and is capable of exporting cybersecurity capabilities.
• Effective collaboration between government and the technology sector, to influence the evolution of technology and standards.
• A clearly articulated vision for the future of the internet that embodies the values of government and society.
• Cyber diplomacy and relationship-building – the ability to show leadership and promote its vision for norms and values in and through cyberspace.
• Responsible development of and use of offensive cyber capabilities.

How can industry support national cyber power objectives?

Industry provides expertise and experience that governments can draw on to build its national cyber power. Our cyber capabilities cover cyber research, cyber capacity building, complex programme delivery and specialist engineering.

We work with government customers in the national security and defence sectors, and our portfolio includes products and services spanning risk advisory and governance, security testing, incident response, designing and building national level cyber defence capability and the security management of enterprise networks. Find out more about our cyber security services.