National Cyber Security Centre 'to combat threats that exist online'

Britain's first dedicated cyber security centre will open in October as intelligence bosses fight to counter a growing online threat from terrorists, crime gangs and hackers.

Plans for the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) were announced last year by Chancellor George Osborne.

It was confirmed on Friday that it will be based in London and open in October.

Listening post GCHQ said the country faces "a growing threat of Cyber-attacks from states, serious crime gangs, hacking groups as well as terrorists",

It said the centre will bring the UK's cyber expertise together, act as "the authoritative voice" on information security and help ensure people, public and private sector organisations and the critical national infrastructure are safer online.

One of the first tasks will be to work with the Bank of England to produce advice for the financial sector for "managing cyber security effectively", it added.

Robert Hannigan, director of GCHQ, said: "Given the industrial-scale theft of intellectual property from our companies and universities, as well as the numerous phishing and malware scams that waste time and money, the National Cyber Security Centre shows that the UK is focusing its efforts to combat the threats that exist online."

Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock said: "In establishing The National Cyber Security Centre we are creating a body devoted to cyber security and this will transform the UK's approach to an issue that affects us all.

"This important work with the Bank of England is paramount to ensuring that businesses of all shapes and sizes understand the threats and what they can do to mitigate them."

The centre will be led by Ciaran Martin, who is currently Director General for Cyber at GCHQ.

He said: "I'm very pleased to have the privilege of leading a world class team to get ahead of one of the most important threats of our time."