- NCSC warns that AI-powered malware is 'highly likely' to be used in hacking attacks against the UK's critical national infrastructure by 2028.
- Richard Horne, CEO of the NCSC, stated there is a real prospect of an 'unprecedented rise' in cyber incidents in the coming months.
- Horne urged businesses to invest in cyber resilience, highlighting risks to food supply and energy sectors.
- Security minister Dan Jarvis announced the establishment of a new National Cyber Shield and an AI Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.
- AI is expected to enhance the ransomware threat by assisting attackers in tasks such as scouting targets and locating weaknesses in IT networks.
- The UK's definition of critical national infrastructure includes sectors such as energy, transport, defence, food, health, and finance.
- NCSC's annual report indicates that cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, with 1,831 reports of cyber attacks received this year.
The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a stark warning that AI-powered malware is 'highly likely' to be deployed in cyber-attacks against critical national infrastructure (CNI) by 2028. This alarming forecast comes amid an 'unprecedented rise' in cyber incidents, with the NCSC reporting 1,831 cyber attack reports this year, including 80 nationally significant cases.2
In a speech, Dr. Richard Horne, CEO of the NCSC, emphasized the urgency for businesses to invest in cybersecurity, stating, “For decades, we have collectively got away with doing tech on the cheap.” He warned that vulnerabilities in IT systems, which have been tolerated for too long, can now be exploited at an unimaginable scale.
The NCSC's annual report highlights that Russia and China are expected to routinely use AI in cyber-attacks, increasing the scale and speed of threats. Horne noted, “In the coming months, we face a real prospect of an unprecedented rise in the number of cyber incidents.” He urged organizations to take responsibility, warning that failure to heed these warnings could lead to dire consequences, including empty supermarket shelves and business failures.7
Security Minister Dan Jarvis echoed these concerns, stating, “NCSC's latest annual report shows cyber threats are growing more sophisticated.” The NCSC is leveraging AI to enhance defenses, including the establishment of a National Cyber Shield and an AI Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.4
“NCSC received 1,831 reports of cyber attacks this year, with 80 deemed nationally significant. Richard Horne says vulnerabilities 'tolerated for far too long' will be exploited at an 'unimaginable scale', and he warns that without urgent investment, leaders will face 'empty supermarket shelves'.”
The SunThe Guardian
