Security
The national security strategy of the United Kingdom: security in an interdependent world
Future challenges for state security
Authors:
; Cabinet Office
Publisher:
Cabinet Office, 2008
This paper asserts that providing security for the nation and the citizens remains the most important responsibility of government. It adds that since the end of the Cold War, the international landscape has been transformed. As a UK government paper, its aim is to set out how the country will address and manage the diverse security challenges and underlying drivers, in the short and longer term. The scope and approach of this strategy, the author states, reflects how national security has changed. Previously, the state was the traditional focus of foreign, defence and security policies, and national security was focused on protecting the state and its vital interests from attacks by other states. Presently, the view of national security has broadened to include threats to individual citizens, as well as to the integrity and interests of the state. This strategy, therefore, deals with terrorism, transnational crime, pandemics and flooding, challenges that can affect large numbers of citizens.
The paper calls for the adoption of a rigorous, clear and realistic approach to assessing the threats and risks and options for tackling them. It calls for the early tackling of security challenges by improving the ability to scan the horizon for future security risks, and by developing preventative action. The most effective way to do this is through early engagement. The most effective way to reduce the long-term threat from terrorism is to tackle the causes of violent extremism, both at home and overseas and is through collective action with the UN, EU and NATO, among others.
To strengthen national security structures, the report gives the following as the future priorities:
- consulting on a joint Parliamentary National Security Committee to help monitor the implementation and development of this strategy by keeping structures and processes under review, and continuing to respond and adapt to new challenges
- strengthening the work of horizon scanning and forward planning through increased investment on security, intelligence, counter-terrorism, diplomatic engagement and spending on conflict prevention and stabilisation
- strengthening the capability to offer a strategic perspective on security priorities and improve connections between defence, development, foreign and domestic security strategies
- creating a national security forum, including representatives from government, politics, academia and members of the public, to discuss strategy and exchange ideas
- publishing the National Risk Register and an annual update on the security challenges facing the UK and progress on implementing the strategy.
