MI5 -organ who are employed to ensure security of the national underground asset registry

What is Nuar?

Nuar delivers a single instant available platform for developers to access information on underground water, gas, electricity and telecommunications pipes and cables when performing works.

Relevant people must be able to access the data to ensure that they do not damage existing relief connections.

As things stand, workers need to contact several organizations and wait according to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), on average more than six days to get the relevant information on underground assets.

Atkinsréalis developed and currently operates Nuar on behalf of DSIT.

In October 2024, DSIT said: “In the coming months, the services will start switching from Atkinsréalis, who collaborated with the geospatial commission to develop the award -winning Nuar minimum viable product for us (Ordnance Survey).”

A spokesman for us told Nce This is not assuming his role as a operator of Nuar until the spring of 2025.

MI5 involvement in Nuar revealed in response to security concerns

Formerly DSIT parliamentary Under State Secretary Viscount Camrose raised security concerns over Nuar and made a change in the Bill on Data (Use and Access) for higher security legislation.

Camrose said: “Of course, there are many hostile actors who, if they got their hands on this information (in Nuar), would or could use them to commit shaking terrorist acts.

“I am aware of and grateful for the government’s insurance policies given in the committee that it is and will be subject to strict security measures.

“The weakest part of cyber defense, however, is often third -party vendors and other partners who do not recognize the same level of risk.

“We should take any possible measure to ensure that the important data in Nuar is kept secure and only shared with stakeholders who have the necessary security regulations in place.”

A junior minister confirmed the collaboration with the MI5 body in his response to Camrose.

The British government -hawk Lord Leong said: “Nuar residue of the greatest importance. Because of this, the government has closely involved a large number of security stakeholders in the development of Nuar, including the National Protective Security Authority and Security teams from asset owners themselves. “

National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) is part of MI5 – Britain’s domestic security service. NPSA “provides physical and personal security advice to help companies take proportionate steps to protect themselves from national security threats” and it was “launched by 2023 to replace the Center for Protection of National Infrastructure, but with an extended launch”, according to MI5.

Leong continued: “Giving clear acceptable user and use policy to any digital service is important. As such, we intend to establish clear guidance on the relevant use of Nuar, including what conditions end users must fulfill before we have access to the service.

“This may include cyber security schemes as well as personal control. However, we do not feel appropriate to include this in the bill.

“Care must be taken when revealing platform -specific cyber security information, as this could give bad actors greater information to enable them to address these measures, which ultimately makes Nuar less secure.

“In addition, rules made in relation to access to information from Nuar would be subject to the affirmative procedure.

“As such, there will be future opportunities for relevant committees to fully consider these access schemes, including on individual basis any security effects.

“I therefore reassure precious gentlemen that these measures will ensure that access to Nuar data is subject to appropriate security measures.”

Government uses ‘newest technology’ to secure Nuar

A spokesman for DSIT said: “As part of the data proposal, we improve the safety and efficiency of street plants.

“This measure alone is set to deliver over £ 400 million. Per year to the British economy through increased efficiency, fewer unintended strikes on underground pipes and cables and reduced disruptions to the public and businesses. ”

“Security is a core consideration of the platform, and Nuar has a robust set of security measures in place using the latest technology to make sure it is not abused and data is safe.”

It is understood that access to Nuar is only on invitation and organizations invited to access it must have signed legally enforceable data access agreements.

Access to Nuar is closely monitored.

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