The CyberUp Campaign is the UK’s leading cyber coalition calling for an update to the UK’s outdated Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA). It brings together a broad base of supporters from across the UK cyber security sector and beyond. Together, we advocate for updating and upgrading cybercrime laws to protect our national security, enhance our resilience to digital crime, and promote the UK’s international competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global technology sector.
As 2024 draws to a close, we are celebrating a year of significant progress in our call for an urgent update to the UK’s outdated Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA). From shaping key legislative debates to expanding our engagement with both industry and Parliament, we’ve made great strides towards modernising the UK’s cyber laws. Here’s a look at six pivotal moments that defined our year:
On Wednesday afternoon, several peers spoke in support of Lord Holmes’s amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill proposing to update the Computer Misuse Act with a statutory defence to allow cybersecurity professionals to defend themselves from prosecution for legitimate cyber defensive activities.
In an exciting update, an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill has been tabled by Lord Holmes proposing to update the CMA and introduce ‘a statutory defence’. This is a key ask of the CyberUp Campaign. The amendment will hopefully be raised at Grand Committee Stage on Monday 16th December.
Yesterday, the CyberUp Campaign hosted an expert-led drop-in event in Parliament. Our event focused on briefing parliamentarians on why updating the outdated Computer Misuse Act must be a priority for the new Government and why these much-needed updates to our cybersecurity laws will enhance sector growth and better equip the UK to tackle 21st century cybersecurity challenges impacting all areas of society.
The CyberUp Campaign hosted a virtual briefing event to update industry partners and professionals from within the sector on the progress of the campaign to update the Computer Misuse Act (1990).
Our parliamentary activity over the course of the last year has brought not insignificant successes, including securing amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill to include an update to the Computer Misuse Act from the then Labour shadow front bench and positive engagement with civil servants involved in the issue.
We urgently need your input on our survey to present decision-makers in the new Government with clear, up-to-date and indisputable evidence of how the Computer Misuse Act impacts cyber security researchers, professionals and businesses in the UK, so they are convinced of the necessity of this update.
