IT contractors specialising in data security may find themselves with an increasing number of job opportunities, following the publication of a new report.

The National Security Strategy has been published by the government, outlining how cyber crime is as big a threat to the security of the UK as terrorism.

According to the report, the UK's enemies are looking for ways to damage the country that are less conspicuous than traditional warfare, as well as being cheaper.

Prime minister David Cameron and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg claim that Britain's openness makes it vulnerable to cyber crime.

"Businesses and government will need to work much more closely together to strengthen our defence against cyber attacks and to prepare for the worst, so that if it happens, we are able to recover rapidly and keep Britain moving," they said.

IT security firm Kroll recently revealed that the number of data security breaches suffered by financial services companies has doubled in the last year.