Guernsey decides to collaborate with Jersey on cyber risk.

A dedicated Guernsey Cyber Security Centre (GCSC) is being established to improve Guernsey’s resilience to cyberattacks. Following a comprehensive tender process, Jersey Cyber Security Centre (JCSC) has been awarded the contract to run the centre. This means there will be close interoperability between the two Bailiwicks. The Centre will comprise a dedicated team based in Guernsey with overarching direction from JCSC.

Some key facts

• Pan-island collaboration will allow the service to be delivered at a lower cost to taxpayers than an in-house or commercial model would allow.
• The work of GCSC will report to a Delivery Board set up for this purpose, overseen by the Office of the Committee for Home Affairs.
• As a public body, we will tender any requirements based on public procurement rules and contract requirements. It is intended to procure goods and services locally within Guernsey and the Channel Islands wherever possible.
• The project plan takes approximately 18 months to reach full capability, mainly due to the need to recruit and train team members. However, we will be progressing many elements much quicker than that.

Reads more

Cyber-attacks, from hostile activity by other countries to online fraud and ransomware, pose a critical risk to businesses, islanders, our public services, and the general economy.

Therefore, GCSC is being established to work closely with the States of Guernsey to provide services that will prepare, protect, and defend the Bailiwick from cyberattacks.

The main functions of GCSC will be:

• Providing local cybersecurity guidance for individuals, businesses, and organisations
• Monitoring vulnerabilities in Guernsey public networks
• Supporting organisations to address security gaps
• Giving advice and coordination support in the event of a cyber incident
• Providing education, training, and awareness to help islanders improve their cybersecurity
• Running incident response exercises

Officers from the Committee for Home Affairs are working with JCSC on the activities necessary to implement GCSC, which is expected to start operating within the next 12 months

A statement from the Committee for Home Affairs said:

• “The Committee is pleased to be contracting with Jersey Cyber Security Centre to create a dedicated cyber security centre here in Guernsey. This will enable the Bailiwick to benefit from the experience of JCSC, which was set up in 2021. This has been a significant work, and we are pleased to see it come to fruition.
• “This will provide a focus for cybersecurity advice and guidance, help build and improve resilience, and be good news for the people of Guernsey. This is especially important given how cyber-attacks can impact individuals, as has become evident following the recent spate of attacks on UK High Street retailers, which has had a local impact on deliveries to our stores.”

Matt Palmer, Director, Jersey Cyber Security Centre, said:

• “We are pleased to work closely with the States of Guernsey and the Island community to protect the Bailiwick better. We know that cyber-attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, and this partnership will minimise the effect of these attacks on Islanders.”

A full copy of the press release is also available via the States of Guernsey website. https://gov.gg/GCSC

Read more https://jcsc.je/latest/news/jcsc-supports-guernsey-to-establish-a-guernsey-cyber-security-centre/