The International Ciber Security Protection Alliance

Business, government and law enforcement join forces in international fight against cyber crime.

There are calls today for a concerted, coordinated crackdown on cyber crime in the face of the increasing global threat.

For the first time, leading international businesses, government and law enforcement agencies are coming together in a bid to tackle the issue.

Launching in London today, the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance (ICSPA) is focused on taking the fight to cyber criminals. It plans to disrupt their activities by providing more resources, tools and expertise to law enforcement agencies in countries that face the greatest challenges or potentially act as hosts; helping them be more successful in their fight against cybercrime.

In welcoming the launch of the ICSPA, UK Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, said: “Our government has already injected an additional £650m to help improve our national infrastructure and protect against cybercrime, but the very nature of this threat calls for more than a national response; it demands a truly global response and that is what the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance is all about.”

“By forging new relationships between businesses, governments and law enforcement officers all over the world, by investing in new training, and by building an international exchange of expertise, the ICSPA is forming a network powerful enough and wide enough, to face down cybercrime. “

With support from its founding member companies, including McAfee Inc, Cassidian Systems (an EADS company), Trend Micro and Visa Europe, ICSPA’s goal is to improve international law enforcement capability and capacity to help protect businesses and their customers against this unprecedented threat.

Speaking at the launch, James Brokenshire MP, Home Office Minister for Crime and Security said: “The internet has brought great opportunities for individuals and businesses, but also for criminals to operate across national boundaries. Cyber crime is a truly global problem and to tackle it we need strong partnership between countries and across private and public sectors. I welcome the launch of the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance. Its partnership with Europol will bring together a range of resources, tools and expertise to crackdown on cybercriminals and strengthen our response to online crime.”

Chaired by former Home Secretary, the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, the ICSPA, an international business-led not-for-profit organization, is co-ordinating a new global and collaborative approach to deal with the aggressive growth in cybercrime.


Mr Blunkett said: “This partnership approach will aim to combine both the resources and the knowledge-base of those engaged in this collaborative venture to the mutual benefit of all. The intention is to add value, to respond by identifying specific law enforcement need and, over time, to demonstrate by outcome the way in which international links can be extended, matching the operational activity of those intent on creating harm who know no national boundaries and respect no demarcation within or between existing government and private agencies”.

In a significant development, it is also being announced today that Europol, the European law enforcement agency, will form a strategic partnership with the ICSPA.

Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol, commented: “This is a vital partnership which will bring governments, business and law enforcement agencies together to address key issues such as the harmonisation of cybercrime training for law enforcement officials, providing advice and guidance and driving information sharing initiatives between EU law enforcement agencies and businesses. By doing so, we aim to ensure that by working more closely together across our 27 EU Member States and with international partners, business and law enforcement can collaborate in ways which will start to have a real impact on the unprecedented levels of cyber criminality which is causing significant harm to businesses and citizens on a global scale.”

John Lyons, Chief Executive of the ICSPA, said: “This unique initiative combining business expertise and resources to work closely with governments in support of law enforcement in their fight against cybercrime globally, is probably our best chance of taking on cybercrime groups who feel they have free reign to do what they like on the Internet with little risk of being apprehended or disrupted. Today, is just the beginning of a wider business-led response to bringing about a safer and more secure Internet experience for all of us. We very much appreciate the support from our founding member businesses and look forward to welcoming many more in the years ahead.”

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