Frequently asked questions

How do I get advice from CPNI?

If you are a business or organisation which either owns or operates services or assets within the national infrastructure (NI), it is likely that you will already be receiving advice directly from CPNI. If you are not, and you believe that your work may fall within this category, please contact us with your details. In the meantime this website contains helpful information on how you can protect your assets.

However, if you do not fall within this category - for example you may be a local authority or small business - and are interested in finding out more about how to protect your business or organisation against terrorism, there is useful information on this website that can help you protect your IT systems, your buildings and your people.

What can I do to prepare and protect my family against terrorism?

The security advice provided on this website is designed to help businesses and other national infrastructure organisations put effective measures in place to protect against terrorism and other forms of attack. The Government's "Preparing for Emergencies" booklet, issued to all UK households in August 2004, and its accompanying website provide practical, common sense advice for members of the public on how to prevent and prepare for a terrorist attack and what to do in an emergency. Answers to further questions on the threat from terrorism are available on the Home Office website.

Is CPNI's work confined to the UK?

CPNI has strong international links with governments and organisations across the world. In particular electronic attack issues transcend geographical borders and problems can strike anywhere in the world - and affect countries almost immediately. CPNI therefore operates in a global context.

I am manufacturing a new piece of equipment which I believe will help protect the national infrastructure. Will CPNI contact CNI companies on my behalf?

No, CPNI does not recommend individual products to CNI. However if you would like to send details to us at Central Support PO Box 60628 SW1P 9HA we would be happy to look at it. Because of the volume of these kinds of requests, we cannot guarantee to respond to every letter.

My academic institution is considering undertaking research which might be of interest to CPNI. What collaboration might be possible?

CPNI sponsors research and work in partnership with academia, other government agencies, research institutions and the private sector to develop applications which can reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks and lessen the impact when terrorist attacks take place. If you think your institution’s proposed research might come under this category, please contact CPNI.

What should I do if I spot suspicious activity outside my business or organisation which I think might be connected to terrorism?

You should ring the Anti-Terrorist Hotline number - 0800 789321

How does the UK's threat alert system work?

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) analyses intelligence relating to international terrorism and produces classified assessments of the threats for a range of government departments and agencies. A general assessment of the current threat level is provided on this website. A more detailed explanation of how the threat level system works is provided on the MI5 website (http://www.mi5.gov.uk/).

What is an Information Exchange?

Information Exchanges are mechanisms for sharing information about electronic threats and attacks within a business community. They usually take the form of face-to-face meetings and are based upon the personal trust of representatives.

What is the Public Key?

This is a way of sending encrypted information to CPNI. If you need to send material to us, you can use the PGP Public Key.