Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to strengthen links with private businesses to improve their cyber defences and capabilities from attacks by hostile state and non-state actors.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works with key industry partners in the Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP) to improve the cyber security and resilience of the defence supply chain. The DCPP Cyber Security Model sets out a proportionate approach to cyber risk in line with the MOD information used by suppliers, and specifies related controls. These controls build on the National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Essentials scheme, adding higher levels of cyber security depending upon the risk. The process is mandated for all MOD contracts and is followed down the supply chain. In addition, MOD works with other government departments and with industry bodies to highlight the importance of cyber defence and resilience to businesses of all sizes.