Computer Emergency Response Team UK
United Kingdom's national Computer Emergency Response Team (2014–2016)
Computer Emergency Response Team UK (CERT-UK) was the United Kingdom's national computer emergency response team, established to manage and coordinate responses to major cyber security incidents.[1]
Launched on 31 March 2014 by Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, it served as the UK’s central point for national cyber incident management, international coordination, and support to critical national infrastructure until its functions were absorbed into the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in 2016.[1]
History
CERT-UK was announced as part of the UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy. Chris Gibson was appointed Director in November 2013.[1]
It built on the Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP) launched in 2013.[1]
In October 2016, CERT-UK was absorbed into the newly operational National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, along with other entities like CESG and the Centre for Cyber Assessment, to create a unified national technical authority for cyber security.[2][3]
The NCSC is explicitly part of GCHQ, one of the UK's intelligence and security agencies. As such, following integration, CERT-UK's successor functions operate within an intelligence organisation. The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC) oversees GCHQ and its components, including the NCSC.[3]
Function
CERT-UK had four main responsibilities:[1]
- National cyber security incident management
- Support to critical national infrastructure companies
- Promoting cyber security situational awareness
- Acting as the single international point of contact for other national CERTs
It worked closely with industry, government, academia, and law enforcement but did not replace sector-specific responsibilities.[1]
Staff
Known leadership included:
| Name | Role | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Gibson | Director | November 2013 – 2016 |
| Andrew Whittaker | Deputy Director | c. 2013–2016 |
Relationship to intelligence agencies and successor
Upon absorption into the National Cyber Security Centre in 2016, CERT-UK's functions became part of GCHQ, recognising the integrated role of cyber defence within the UK's intelligence community. The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament provides parliamentary oversight of these activities.[3][4]
See also
National Cyber Security Centre (United Kingdom) GCHQ Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 UK Government, UK launches first national CERT GOV.UK, 31 March 2014.
- ↑ UK Government, National Cyber Security Centre (United Kingdom) Wikipedia, accessed June 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Information Commissioner's Office, The role of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) ICO, accessed June 2026.
- ↑ UK Government, GCHQ GCHQ.gov.uk, accessed June 2026.