Lord Brian Mackenzie OBE, Baron Mackenzie of Framwellgate, Member of the House of Lords and Vice Chair of the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) for Cyber Security, has today, during Cyber Security Awareness Month, called for the UK Government to create a dedicated cyber security minister.

There is currently no dedicated cyber security minister. Responsibilities for cyber security are currently a small portion of the responsibilities of the Minister of State for Security and Economic Crime.

According to Lord Mackenzie, the lack of a minister for cyber security is a glaring oversight. The risk landscape is rapidly evolving as our business, transport, and other critical infrastructure become increasingly digitalised. Cyber security is no longer just about protecting databases and email servers; it’s about defending entire infrastructures from cyberattack.

 

Lord Mackenzie commented:

“In an age where our lives are becoming increasingly digitised, the absence of a Cyber Security Minister within the UK Parliament is not just surprising—it’s a glaring oversight. As we embrace smart cities and smart buildings, operational technology (OT) is connecting more devices to the Internet than ever before. Yet, while IT cybersecurity dominates the headlines, the growing threat from these interconnected OT and IoT devices is flying under the radar.

“The risk landscape has evolved dramatically. It’s no longer just about protecting databases and email servers; it’s about securing entire infrastructures. From heating systems in smart buildings to the traffic management in smart cities, the potential for cyberattacks on these essential systems has grown exponentially. Yet, there remains no central governmental figure to steer the UK’s response to this escalating threat.

“Operational Technology is already entrenched in our daily lives. In a not-so-distant future, everything from our lighting systems to public transport networks could be susceptible to cyberattack. With this shift, the stakes are higher than ever, and yet responsibility for cybersecurity remains fragmented across various departments. A dedicated minister would help unify efforts, ensure coherent policies, and push for stronger regulatory frameworks that prioritise both IT and OT security.

“Moreover, businesses are now realising that cyber threats are not a “future problem”; they are very much a reality. A central figure, serving as a Cyber Security Minister, could champion the strategic importance of cybersecurity to the UK’s economy, ensure investment in national resilience, and, crucially, work directly with industry leaders, like CEOs of banks, to mitigate threats to corporate real estate and beyond.

“In short, as we continue to expand our digital capabilities, it is time the government reflects this urgency by appointing a dedicated minister to oversee and secure our digital future.”

 

About Lord Brian Mackenzie OBE

Lord Brian Mackenzie OBE, following a career in the police in which he rose to the Presidency of the Police Superintendent’s Association, is a non-affiliated life peer. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyber Security and Ambassador for the Juberi Group, a leading technology in the smart building sector.

Picture Credit:

By Roger Harris – https://members-api.parliament.uk/api/Members/1881/Portrait?cropType=ThreeFourGallery: https://members.parliament.uk/member/1881/portrait, CC BY 3.0,