Title: Strategic Analysis and Recommendations for Cybersecurity
Student Name: Muhammad Abdullah
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Table of Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................4
1. External Environment Analysis...........................................................................5
1.1. PESTLE ANALYSIS.....................................................................................5
2. Internal Analysis.............................................................................................8
3. Internationalization Strategies...........................................................................11
3.1. Opportunities for Further Improvement............................................................12
4. Recommendations for Improvement...................................................................12
5. Conclusion..................................................................................................14
References.....................................................................................................15
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List of Figures
Figure 1: PESTLE Analysis - Research Gate................................................................5
Figure 2: SWOT Analysis - Study.com........................................................................8
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Introduction
Cybersecurity may be defined as the ability to defend against and recover from cyberattacks.
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cybersecurity is the
ability to protect or defend the use of cyberspace from cyberattacks (Priyadarshini, 2019). The
entire cyberspace consists of several interdependent networks of the information systems
infrastructure which could be the internet, telecommunications network, computer systems,
embedded systems or controllers. Thus, cybersecurity is concerned with critical infrastructure,
network security, cloud security, application security, the internet of things and several other
domains where the need to ensure security is paramount.
1) Critical infrastructure: Security in critical infrastructure deals with
cyber physical systems and real-world deployments (Taylor and Sharif,
2017). Industries like automation, aviation, healthcare, traffic lights,
electricity grids etc are prone to cyberattacks like eavesdropping,
compromised key attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks and denial-of-
service attacks.
2) Network security: Network security deals with measures and
concerns to protect information systems. It guards against
unauthorized intrusions and protects the usability and integrity of
network and data. cyberattacks on networks could be passive like port
scanning, wiretapping and encryption, and active, like phishing, cross-
site scripting and denial of service attacks.
3) Cloud security: Cloud security takes into account several control-
based technologies and policies to protect information, data
applications and infrastructure within the cloud (Spanaki et al., 2019).
Since cloud is a shared resource, cyberattacks on clouds may lead to
data breaches, system vulnerabilities, malicious insiders, data loss and
shared technology vulnerabilities. Some attacks on the cloud
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computing environment are account hijacking, phishing, denial-of-
service attacks and compromised credentials.
4) Application security: Security of an application is ensured by
mitigating security vulnerabilities. Since an application development
has several stages, like design, development, deployment, upgrade
and maintenance, each stage being susceptible to cyberattacks.
Common attacks pertaining to web application security are cross-site
scripting, SQL injection, buffer overflows and distributed denial-of-
service attacks. In mobile applications, attacks like spyware, botnets,
ad hoc and click fraud and malware infections take place.
5) Internet of Things security: The internet of things (IoT) consists of
computing, mechanical and digital devices with unique identifiers
capable of transferring data over the network without human
interference. IoT security safeguards these connected devices and
networks in IoT. The attacks include spyware and botnets (Malhotra et al.,
2019).
The CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability) triad is the unifying
attribute for cybersecurity which is used to evaluate security of an
organization using the three key areas related to security namely
confidentiality, integrity and availability. These three attributes have specific
requirements and operations.
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1. External Environment Analysis
1.1. PESTLE ANALYSIS
Figure 1: PESTLE Analysis - Research Gate
Political Factors
1. Government Initiatives: The UK government has expanded cybersecurity to various levels
through implementing the NCSS and the creation of the NCSC (Montasari, 2023).
2. Regulatory Landscape: This is complements nowadays with data protection regulation like
GDPR or NIS Directive regarding critical IT networks and infrastructures (Chiara, 2024).
3. Political Stability: The political instabilities in the UK do not pose a threat to investments in
cybersecurity as it enjoys a stable and mature political system, however the Brexit rear two
questions about information sharing across its borders and cooperation with other nations.
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4. International Cooperation: The UK works with international cybersecurity systems, joining
NATO and the Five Eyes partnership, to combat cybersecurity dangers (Burton, 2023).
Economic Factors
1. Investment in Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity market in the UK is expanding and getting better,
particularly through the government funding and money from private investors to cybersecurity
firms and innovations (Cohen et al., 2022).
2. Cost of Cybercrime: Cybercrime is a huge threat to the UK where it is estimated to be costing
the nation billions of pounds each year in lost business leading to pressures to spend on
strengthened security systems (UK. 2022).
3. Job Market and Skills Gap: Specifically a demand for cybersecurity specialist has risen but the
industry is short of these talents hence the training and education opportunities.
4. Impact on Businesses: Trends such as hacking, phishing, and ransom ware attacks result in
financial losses and poor business reputation thus forcing organization to embrace protective
security measures (Mallick and Nath, 2024).
Social Factors
1. Public Awareness: Cybersecurity threats are becoming more known to the public, such as
Cyber Aware is a way people can start being safe online.
2. Digital Transformation: People of all ages and demographics, from all industries and
professions use digital technologies more frequently than ever before, putting greater demand on
safeguarding through cybersecurity systems.
3. Consumer Trust: When it comes to digital services, people put their trust into the protective
measures in place by corporation to safeguard their identity and payment details.
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4. Cybersecurity Education: The attempts to introduce cybersecurity into learning programs have
the objective of raising a security-aware nation (Tasevski, 2016).
Technological Factors
1. Advancements in Technology: The use of artificial intelligence, as well as machine learning
and block chain, poised to revolutionise conventional protection strategies, due to its capabilities
in regard to threat prognosis and risk identification (Nimmagadda, 2021).
2. IoT Security Risks: This has led to increase in attack surfaces due to the increased use of IoT
devices for which normal cybersecurity software cannot suffice.
3. 5G and Network Security: The emergence of the new generation networks requires the
development of effective security measures against threats.
4. Cybersecurity Innovations: To help create an ecosystem of innovation the UK has created hubs
and research centres dedicated to advanced cybersecurity solutions (Fasnacht and Fasnacht,
2018).
Legal Factors
1. Data Protection Laws: The UK follows the GDPR and enacts the Data Protection Act 2018 to
protect the data of individuals.
2. Cybercrime Legislation: Cybercrime is covered by the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and state
surveillance with the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
3. Compliance Requirements: Every organization need to adhere to regulation set by their
industry like the regulation for financial transaction that is PCI DSS or the information security
regulation that is ISO.
4. Penalties for Breaches: Non-compliance to this law attracts heavy fines and legal
consequences hence business will be pressured to enhance security (Hardy, 2021).
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Environmental Factors
1. Energy Efficiency of Data Centers: Increasing the need for cybersecurity services contributes
to their consumption of data centers, so it is vital to address energy efficiency.
2. Carbon Footprint: Modern cybersecurity solutions incorporate cloud and virtual services, so
the implementation of physical facilities decreases (Nawaz et al., 2024).
3. Sustainability in Technology: Concern with green IT and sustainable technologies also makes
it possible to find environmentally friendly approaches to cybersecurity.
4. Climate-Driven Risks: Environmental changes affect physical enablers like data centers and
need protection from cyber security threats during environmental shocks (Argyroudis et al.,
2022).
2. Internal Analysis
Figure 2: SWOT Analysis - Study.com
Strengths
UK indeed has a rather good regulatory position in cybersecurity. The UK has developed a
coherent regulatory cybersecurity environment, for instance: Cyber Security Act, GDPR, and
Cyber Essentials Scheme aimed at defining reference points in the protection of data against
cyber threats (Markopoulou, Papakonstantinou and De Hert, 2019). Also, the UK has advantages
over other countries in terms of technology development in such fields as artificial intelligence,
machine learning, and blockchain, which put it in the proper position to be at the technological
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frontier in cybersecurity development, as well as in both the preventative and reactive security
measures that correspond to new threats. UK also has skilled resource that is truly needed in
numerous educational program and schemes to overcome the cyber security talent crunch.
Support on the part of the government, either through its ministries and agencies, including
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), or through the establishment of public-private
partnerships adds to the country’s cybersecurity fabric by encouraging alliances between
companies and government bodies. In the global context the United Kingdom has its reputation
and the membership in the Five Eyes group of countries, as well as NATO, which improves the
possibilities for cooperation in the sphere of cyber defense and exchange of information on
potential threats.
Weaknesses
UK’s cybersecurity sector. There is still a gap of a seemingly unending supply of talented
cybersecurity professionals, which is further compounded by the increasing need for
cybersecurity professionals not only in the UK but across the globe. Inexorable growth and
changes in the information threat landscape need the constant improvement and training of
specialists, which is a significant issue. However, after Brexit, many regulatory updates took
place, putting extra stress to firms that operate under UK and EU cybersecurity regulations
(Buckley, Caulfield and Becker, 2022). The problem is made even worse by the fact that the
volker of data protection laws are dynamic. One limitation that poses a threat to the growth of the
cybersecurity workforce is that the professionals are easily wooed away by better paying jobs
available in other countries.
Opportunities
There are many examples of UK cybersecurity industry. The evolution to digital operations in
sectors continues s to push the necessity for improved protection mechanisms. When companies
transform digitally, there is an increasing requirement for sophisticated cybersecurity software
for preserving data and systems against increasingly complex cyber risks. As for quantum
cryptography, cloud security AI and other, they present potential to further strengthen the
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national cybersecurity while placing the country as technological leader in the field. Moreover,
due to new programs from the public sector and from the government to help SMEs with their
cybersecurity requirements, new opportunities appear for service providers in the mentioned
sector. Yet there is the UK’s prospect in the post – Brexit, to enter into new trade and
cybersecurity partnership deals with different countries beyond Europe, and therefore boost up
its global cybersecurity position.
Threats
Although the UK’s cybersecurity outlook is stable, hackers are evolving, using everything from
ransom ware and LPE to state-backed hacking (Pedley et al., 2020). These threats increase when
considering the increased development of our digital structures where sensitive data, core state
infrastructure, and private corporate networks could be attacked. The shortage is particularly
severe in cybersecurity, where talented employees may switch to higher-paid job offers in other
nations, particularly the US. In addition, the additional compliance requirements might put more
pressure on businesses in UK especially the smaller end (SMEs) to adapt to new technologies
laws and regulation in the area of computer and cybersecurity.
Core competencies
Some outstanding opportunities for UK cybersecurity sector include: Regulatory experience:
ability to assist various companies meets strict global cybersecurity regulations like GDPR and
the Cyber essentials scheme. This makes it possible for the UK firms to provide their clients with
legal and regulatory compliance advantage (McMorrow, 2015). The presence of the country’s
leadership in technological advancement further makes it unique especially in AI security
systems and solutions built on blockchain, which strengthen the security of cyberspace. Smart
programs in the UK like CyberFirst help to develop a talented force, and PPP promotes the
exchange of information and practices. Furthermore, the UK as the member of the international
organizations defining the norms and rules of the emerging cyberspace warfare basically leads
the definition of the global cybersecurity standards and directions of the international cyber
defense activities.
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3. Internationalization Strategies
Internationalization strategies for cybersecurity for the UK entail the extension of the country’s
fight against cyber threats to the international front by collaboration with other countries,
harmonization of its policies with those of other countries and the integration of international
best practices. The matter is that as digital ecosystems are becoming more entwined, Big Britain
needs other nations, global organisations, and businesses to improve cybersecurity (Pakes and
Pitts, 2023). However, the strategy that is of paramount significance when it comes to reaching
audiences across borders is compliance with international cybersecurity regimes including the
GDPR by the EU and the Global Cybersecurity Framework by the UN. In this respect, the UK
should adhere to the mentioned regulations and promote the implementation of foundational
cybersecurity principles to build up the latter and strengthen mutual trust with partners.
Another important internationalization strategy is developing partnership for exchanging the
information as well as cooperation against cyber threats. The UK is engaged in cybersecurity
cooperation forums in which countries come together to share on the development of cyber
capacities and standards (Hohmann, Pirang and Benner, 2017). With threat sharing, handling of
incidents in a coordinated manner and simulation of cyber attacks the UK stands to gain on how
best it can prepare against new emergent threats from the rest of the world. In more detail, the
UK has its own body for addressing cybersecurity problems, the National Cyber Security Centre
(NCSC), which is also involved in setting international cybersecurity standards. Formation of
relationships with foreign police departments such as Europol is useful in combating of cross-
boundary cybercrime hence boosting the UK’s status as a world power in cybersecurity. To
extend these partnerships as experts, it will broaden the UK’s cyber protection and enhance the
overall security against cyber threats through international cooperation.
3.1. Opportunities for Further Improvement
There is more that can be done in the United Kingdom strengthening the capabilities of
indigenous companies in the face of new risks. First of all, the acquisition of finance for the
enhancement of new technologies based on artificial intelligence and machine learning, for
instance, to secure better rates of threat identification and response is fundamental. Some of these
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technologies are capable of processing vast amount of data and identifying the trends of cyber
attacks in real time; meaning less time is taken to understand the threat and avoid it. The UK can
involve itself in increasing the overall levels of R & D in the area of cybersecurity so as to retain
its leading position in the global market. The second is better improvement of relations between
the public and the private sectors. Increasing collaboration between departments within the
government and private enterprises may enhance the flow of information, and latter — of
technologies, that can significantly improve cybersecurity (Tropina, Callanan and Tropina,
2015). Chronicling Government Attempt to Encourage Private Sector to Share Threat
Intelligence and Vulnerability Data a better national cybersecurity infrastructure can be
established through attacks coordination. The UK could also analyzed introducing improved
motivation measures – privileges and right incentives stimulating private organizations to
improve their cybersecurity. The UK could also enhance the status of its cyberspace workforce
by solving the skills challenge in the cybergise. British Cyber First program launched to teach
young people about cyber skills could be rolled out to increase talent for the cybersecurity
occupation (Waldock, Miller and Franqueira, 2022).
The final area to be improved is the general public increase in awareness of potential
cybersecurity threats. Awareness initiatives in cyberspace, information protection, and learning to
identify would-be cyber attacks, including the use of techniques such as phishing, may lower the
occurrence of successful cyber classics.
4. Recommendations for Improvement
Thus, the improvement of cybersecurity in the United Kingdom requires the diversification of
goals and strategies, targeted on the improvement of infrastructural conditions, the increase of
qualified personnel, collaboration with foreign counterparts, and people’s education. Below are
several recommendations:
1. Embrace Digitization
The UK should invest more in technologies such as the AI, ML, & Automation for cybersecurity
(Rawindaran et al., 2021). These technologies can afford quicker threat identification, finer
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anomalies identification and better protection against cyber threats. AI and ML are also
beneficial for cybersecurity systems to constantly change to meet new threats hence enhancing
the UK’s capacities to timely respond to cyber events.
2. Boost Intersectarial Partnership
The government needs to expand cooperation with the private sector as it concerns information
on potential threats, practices, and development of a coherent national security strategy (Skopik,
Settanni and Fiedler, 2016). It also encompasses offering motivation instruments, including
offering tax credits or recognition awards, for companies to enhance their information
technology protection mechanisms. Daily interactions between government information sharing
partners such as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) with businesses will assist in
tackling novel threats.
3. Improved Cyber security Education and Training
The workforce in the cyber-security sector is extremely limited, and it is becoming important to
fill the skills gap in the industry to strengthen the defense of the UK cyberspace (De Zan, 2022).
The UK government should invest in cybersecurity education and training, and aim at the young
population as well as minorities in tech. This entails things like increasing programmers or
schemes like the CyberFirst programmer and to offer more scholarship or encourage more
incentives to attract students to cybersecurity. In addition, the financing of never-ending
competence-building training for average cybersecurity professionals will contribute to their
ability to stay abreast of new trends and techniques in cybersecurity.
4. A National Cybersecurity Strategy
UK should keep on enhancing and updating its national cybersecurity strategy to correspond to
modern tendencies and threats globally (Sabillon, Cavaller and Cano, 2016). This strategy will
need to be centered to progressing cyber resilience across government, organizations, and men,
women and children. It should consist of the information security policy for addressing cyber
threats, policies pertaining to security of data within the network, and mechanism of handling
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significant cyber threats. The strategy should also be used to raise awareness about cybersecurity
threats in the general public and enhance the people’s understanding of the threats.
5. Conclusion
Cybersecurity is still a most important objective in the context of the UK where various threats
are identified from critical infrastructure and networks to cloud systems and the Internet of
Things. As the threats become more frequent and sophisticated, the UK has emerged at the
forefront of protecting consumer data and infrastructure via legislation like GDPR and the Cyber
Essentials Scheme as well as through agency action like the NCSC. However, threats like
scarcity of workforce particularly highly skilled personnel coupled with dynamic threats such as,
continuing technological advancement in the area of cyber security and the uncertainty created
by Brexit still manifest themselves and, therefore, there is a need for organizational learning and
enhanced investment. There is huge scope to developing the United Kingdom’s cybersecurity
situation, from emerging tech and continuous improvement to international cooperation and
development. Moreover, the increase of awareness among the public and strengthening the
cooperation of society with private companies can contribute to organizational development and
better prevention of cyber threats.
Lastly, realisation of the essence of a highly skilled personnel, manipulation of technology and
adequate political measures to meet the standard set by the regulations of the country will greatly
assist in the protection of the cyberspace in the United Kingdom to secure the safety of the
country’s future in the ever automating world.
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