Cybersecurity policy

2018.12.03

20 Senator S.C. Ferguson of the Chief Minister regarding the cybersecurity policy:

[OQ.228/2018]

When will the Jersey cybersecurity policy be prepared and will it prescribe the use of Chinese electronic equipment and components as a precautionary measure?

Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré (The Chief Minister):

The Jersey cybersecurity strategy was published in October 2017, I am informed, and is available on gov.je. It includes a critical national infrastructure group which meets quarterly to discuss cybersecurity issues, and as a result our approach mirrors the U.K. Government's. Infrastructure companies should prioritise cybersecurity and take into account international concerns, that is in the general sense. We will remain in close contact with our U.K. counterparts and, as has previously been alluded to in an earlier question today, that includes G.C.H.Q.'s national cybersecurity centre, as we monitor the issue. I am very happy for the Senator to meet and discuss any concerns with officers if she has any.

3.20.1  Senator S.C. Ferguson:

Is the Chief Minister not aware that various large organisations in the Island do not hold their data here and prefer Switzerland since that country has Tier 1 security? Will the Chief Minister please use the concept of Tier 1 security as an objective of our cybersecurity policy?

[17:00]

Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré:

I think the point is we do take cybersecurity seriously. I cannot remember if it was addressed in the pre-budget presentation in the previous week to States Members, if not I will make sure it is included in the next update and that will give a full and frank discussion around security issues. Yes, generally, we need to make sure we are doing more because of the ongoing concerns, I hasten to add, in terms of cybersecurity globally.