New IT industry alliance to look at national security

IT industry players have joined forces to help the government with national security issues.

The newly-launched Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Council (RISC) brings together IT suppliers, trade bodies and academics to offer support to the government

"Through the formation of RISC, the UK security and resilience sector will act as one, in concert with government, to deliver a significantly fortified frontline of security and resilience," said RISC chairman Stephen Phipson.

After a meeting with Home Secretary John Reid, Phipson said the RISC partnership will reduce the amount of time between identifying a new problem-solving technology and getting into the field - before potential terrorist attacks are launched, not after.

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The alliance will also focus on security innovation by creating a research and development road map and encourage the government to introduce longer-term procurement and guidance, allowing for more long-term investment.

"All of this will create a competitive marketplace that allows the ownership of critical technologies to remain within the UK," said Phipson. "The dual prize will be stronger economic growth and enhanced national security."

RISC's members include BAE Systems, EDS Defence, Thales UK as well as trade associations Intellect and the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers, among others. International affairs institute Chatham House and the Royal United Services Institute, a defence and security studies school, are also members.

"RISC will be as financially strong as its corporate members, as ground-breaking as its best scientific members and as intuitive as its academic members," said Phipson.