Does the UK National Cyber-Security Programme have a sporting chance?

The UK Government has launched its National Cyber-Security Programme with a £650m pot of money. The investment is to be spent on skills, research and putting the necessary infrastructure in place, but there is still much to be decided upon. The programme's aim is to protect the nation and the economy from cyber-attack in both the medium and long term. Cath Everett explores what the programme is likely to look like, where things are at now and where things are likely to go in the future. While there is much still to be resolved, the initiative's reception has been mainly positive, although questions still remain over the Government's ability to control the inevitable turf wars that may hamper progress. There is nothing like a major international sporting event to focus hearts and minds, and so it is for the UK coalition Government and the London 2012 Olympics. Painfully aware that the Games are a high-profile target for anyone with a cause, a grudge or simply a desire to wreak havoc in a very public way, the Government has, despite swingeing budget cuts elsewhere, set aside £650m of new money over the next four years for a National Cyber-Security Programme. It hopes this will protect the nation and the economy in both the medium and long term.