Cyber Security

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

Robert is best known for creating the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre while he was Director of GCHQ (2014-17). The NCSC began operations in 2015-16 and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth in February 2017. The NCSC is a world-leading organisation which brings together the UK’s high-end capabilities in operational cyber defence alongside industry experts. It aims to make the UK ‘the safest place to live and do business online’, an ambition crafted by Robert for the UK government in 2010.

Robert has a long background in government cyber, having overseen the UK’s first Cyber security Strategy in 2009. He oversaw the introduction of the ground-breaking Active Cyber Defence programme and directed, with military colleagues, the National Offensive Cyber Programme. Under his leadership the NCSC and GCHQ, its parent organisation, launched a range of initiatives to produce clear and coherent guidance on cyber security and to promote cyber skills, notably through the Cyber First programme and innovative ventures such as the annual cyber security competition fro secondary school girls. These proved a huge success in fostering cyber skills, particularly in under-represented groups.

Robert’s account of the creation of the NCSC was published by the Royal United Services Institute in 2019.