Overview[]
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is a ministerial department of the UK Government created on June 6, 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Its mission is to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy by:
- creating the conditions for business success;
- promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and
- giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed.
To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy.
Activities[]
Since the early 1990s until 2008 BIS (in partnership with industry) produced a biennial Information Security Breaches Survey, intended to help businesses understand the information security risks they face. In partnership with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MYCCI), BIS helped produce an interactive e-learning package which reinforced the importance of information security awareness.
BIS represents the information security needs of businesses, both within the U.K. and internationally, to promote the development of appropriate international standards and a regulatory framework that is conducive to the uptake of electronic commerce. In particular BIS is a member of the Management Board of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA).
In September 2010, BIS launched a consultation process asking for suggestions and proposals for implementing the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework, which the U.K. was required to implement by May 2011. According to the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework, in some instances the obligations on Member States, national regulatory authorities and industry are extended, particularly with regard to: consumer protection; e-privacy; and security and resilience of networks and services.
A specific consultation document was communicated by BIS: "Implementing the Revised EU Electronic Communications Framework – Overall Approach and Consultation on Specific Issues" — setting out the U.K. preferred approach to implementation and asks questions on a limited number of specific issues.
Source[]
ENISA, United Kingdom Country Report 15 (May 2011) (full-text).