The UK and Norwegian governments are to share best practice and
new technologies to detect and expose eavesdropping devices.
The UK and Norwegian governments have announced an agreement to
work more closely together on research and development
of technical security.
The agreement, between the UK National Authority for
Counter-Eavesdropping (UK NACE)
and the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM), extends an
already mature partnership which has seen the 2 authorities share
national security information and best practice.
Technical security includes the identification of covert devices
used to transmit data, which can either be used to eavesdrop or
to launch other types of attack, including cyber-attacks.
UK
NACE is part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office (FCDO) and is the UK's dedicated National Technical
Authority (NTA) for technical security. It provides guidance and
training across government and national security communities in
the UK and with international partners.
, Minister for Europe, North
America and UK Overseas Territories said:
UK security is indivisible from European security – and we are
stronger when we stand together. Norway is one of our closest
defence and security partners, and I welcome this agreement,
which will further strengthen our collective resilience against
threats from hostile states as part of our new Strategic
Partnership.
The new agreement with the NSM builds on
existing work between the UK and Norway, both members of the
Joint Expeditionary Force group of nations. The agreement will
see the 2 nations share resources, expertise and information to
achieve mutual goals, and combine strengths for innovation and
development.
UK
NACE is already partnered with leading UK universities on
the development of technical security research and development,
including developing new search equipment technology.
With its roots dating back to 1945, UK NACE
was established as the lead government organisation in the field
of technical security across the UK government after it became
apparent that British embassies located in the newly-formed
communist Eastern Europe were at risk from the threat of
technical espionage attack.
With eavesdropping and surveillance technology reaching new
heights in its accessibility, capability and concealment,
UK
NACE is committed to collaboratively work on tackling
modern technical threats with partners across government and
friendly foreign governments.
Its focus on research and innovation has helped it to enable
effective risk mitigation strategies and has earned recognition
and respect across the global national security community.
