The growth of information technology and the internet has come with the very "real and credible" threat of a cyber attack, according to a Government official.
Iain Lobban, director of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has said that to ensure future economic safety in the UK, action needs to be taken to stop a possible online assault.
Talking of a "significant disruption" on the computer systems of the Government as a result of "worms" meant to target networks, Mr Lobban said that there needed to be a "holistic approach" so that the Government and the telecommunications industry could join hands to curb the threat.
He was speaking at the International Institute for Strategic studies, where he also pointed out that the growth of internet meant that computer hackers and criminals could disrupt legal systems.
He also said that though the GCHQ primarily deals in gathering intelligence, it also aims to provide security through "information assurance".
Mr Lobban, who spoke ahead of the publishing of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, said: "It's not a narrow security issue for the spooks - but a wide economic issue that demands a holistic response.
"Fundamentally, getting cyber right enables the UK's continuing economic prosperity.
"In order to flourish, a knowledge economy needs to protect from exploitation the intellectual property at the heart of the creative and high-tech industry sectors. It needs to maintain the integrity of its financial and commercial services."
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