The UK has set up a cyber security control center staffed by experts from the intelligence services and some of Britain’s largest companies to coordinate the defense of their computer systems, Bloomberg reports. The “Fusion Cell” operates at an undisclosed location in London, and was announced today by Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude.
It was founded last year with 80 companies from five sectors: finance, defense, energy, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals, and there are now 160 companies involved.
The Fusion Cell enables security experts from the companies to monitor and share information about developing threats, including finance fraud and theft of intellectual property. According to Bloomberg, the Cell is staffed by 12 analysts, and intelligence services are represented by officials from Government Communication Headquarters and MI5.