Sharing a public stage for the first time, the heads of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), MI5, and the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) unveiled five principles which businesses can adopt to help keep their staff and their information safe and secure.

At an event hosted by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and the FBI, the agency heads warned that states were seeking to steal businesses’ intellectual property in order to fast track their own technological and military capabilities and undermine others’ competitive edge.

Ken McCallum

To coincide with the event, new guidance has been published in the UK by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), the protective security arm of MI5 and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ. This is the first public campaign launched since NPSA was created in March this year.

The updated Secure Innovation guidance explains practical steps that small and medium-sized businesses and other organisations can take to bolster their protections against the threats posed by other states as well as from criminals and even competitors.

National Cyber Security Centre CEO, Lindy Cameron

Targeted at start-ups and spin outs developing cutting-edge technology, the advice includes a free Quick Start Guide to help those without extensive security expertise to take the first steps to keep their innovations safe.

Secure Innovation offers information on proportionate physical, cyber and personnel security arrangements.

It covers areas including investments, supply chains, travel, IT networks and cloud computing.

The guidance is available from today and will be promoted in a variety of ways, including on social media and through podcast sponsorship.