"We’re exploring a flagship project on scaling up DNS [domain name system] filtering: what better way of providing automated defences at scale than by the major private providers effectively blocking their customers from coming into contact with known malware and bad addresses?" Ciaran Martin, GCHQ’s director-general for cyber security, was quoted as saying by the media.
The plan stipulates that private-sector internet providers will voluntarily comply with security services' proposals to determine and block the malicious content, while circumventing any need for legislation. Consumers will be allowed to opt out of the censorship.
The UK economy is one of the world's most vulnerable to cyber attacks and hacks due to the country's digital development, Martin added.
At least 90 percent of Britain's large organizations and 74 percent of small business experienced cybersecurity breaches in 2015, up from 81 and 60 percent, respectively, a year ago, according to a survey published by the world's leading auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
