The global technology market is not functioning effectively, according to Ollie Whitehouse, Chief Technology Officer of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Whitehouse stated that although companies worldwide have the knowledge to create secure and resilient technology, the market does not incentivise these efforts.

He highlighted the persistent issue of a "thousand Band-Aid" approach to cybersecurity, where organisations rely on temporary solutions rather than addressing fundamental security flaws.

Whitehouse emphasised that the UK must move away from this approach to become a cyber-resilient nation.

Rapid technological changes and regulatory challenges

Whitehouse expressed concerns about the rapid pace of technological advancement, which is outstripping regulatory and legislative efforts. He pointed out that this discrepancy poses a significant challenge for creating a resilient technological infrastructure.

According to Whitehouse, technology developers need to be transparent about the challenges they encounter in developing products and services that are both secure and future-proof.

In his speech, Whitehouse remarked on the evolving global landscape, stating, "The world is changing, fast, and we are facing a fundamental challenge: we don’t have the evidence for how to build a resilient country writ large."

He compared the challenges posed by state actors and criminal elements to "horse-sized ducks" and "duck-sized horses," emphasising that both threats must be addressed with equal diligence.

Call for market support and incentives

Whitehouse urged the market to support and reward the design and building of resilient, secure technology. He stressed that companies already possess the capability to create such technology but lack the financial incentives to do so.

"We know how to design and build resilient, secure technology. We just need a market that supports and rewards it," he stated.

The CTO's address highlights the need for systemic change in the technology sector, where the focus should shift towards sustainable and robust cybersecurity measures.

Whitehouse’s remarks aim to spark dialogue and drive action among technology developers, policymakers, and industry leaders to address the challenges of building a cyber-resilient future.