UK cyber security under growing threat

Hostile cyber activity targeting the UK has surged, with incidents increasing by 16% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported handling 430 incidents, up from 371 in 2023. Of these, 347 involved data exfiltration, while 20 were linked to ransomware, underscoring the growing risks.

Richard Horne from the NCSC revealed that adversaries are exploiting society’s reliance on technology to maximise disruption. The centre issued 542 notifications to affected organisations, more than doubling the number of alerts from the previous year. Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transport, and health remain particularly vulnerable to ransomware attacks.

The annual review from the NCSC emphasised the evolving nature of threats, warning of the potential for AI to enhance cyberattack complexity. Officials also noted that the risks posed by state actors and cybercriminals remain underestimated. Horne urged against complacency, highlighting the severity of both immediate and long-term dangers.

Efforts to counter these threats are intensifying, but experts stress the importance of strengthening defences and maintaining vigilance as the cyber landscape becomes increasingly hostile.