UK Warns of Increased AI-Driven Cyberattacks, Unveils New Cybersecurity Measures

Britain to face more cyberattacks as AI adoption grows, minister says

LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - The growth of AI will increase the number and sophistication of cyberattacks on Britain, senior minister Pat McFadden said on Wednesday. British companies, public bodies and institutions have been hit by a wave of cyberattacks in the past few years, costing them tens of millions of pounds and often months of disruption. Over the last three weeks British retailers Marks & Spencer (MKS.L), opens new tab, the Co-op Group (42TE.L), opens new tab and Harrods have all been hit by attacks, with M&S still unable to take online clothing orders. The companies have not given any details on the nature of the attacks. "Today we are declassifying an intelligence assessment that shows AI is going to increase not only the frequency but the intensity of cyberattacks in the coming years," said McFadden, who as cabinet office minister is responsible for UK cyber security. "Our security systems will only remain secure if they keep pace with what our adversaries are doing," he said. Speaking at the National Cyber Security Centre's CyberUK 2025 conference, he said that last year the NCSC received almost 2,000 reports of cyberattacks, with almost 90 deemed "significant" and 12 at "the very top end of severity". This was three times the number of severe attacks compared to the year before. McFadden said the recent cyberattacks on British retailers should serve as a wake-up call for everyone, including government and the public sector, businesses and organisations. "Cyber security isn't a luxury, it's an absolute necessity." He said the government will later this year publish a new cyber security strategy, while new legislation, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, will grant government new powers to direct regulated organisations to reinforce their cyber defences. M&S and the Co-op are widely reported to have been the victims of ransomware attacks where criminals infiltrate companies' computer systems, encrypt them and demand payment before allowing them to resume control. NCSC CEO Richard Horne told the conference he wanted to see a future where paying ransoms is no longer considered an option, where the business model for the attackers no longer works. Reporting by James Davey. Editing by Jane Merriman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Cybersecurity

Cyber attack on M&S should be 'wake-up call', minister warns

The government will say the digital world, especially cybersecurity, represents a big economic opportunity for the UK. The cyber attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods should be a "wake-up call", a cabinet minister will warn as he announces a cybersecurity investment boost. The attacks have seen empty shelves and an inability to pay by contactless card or place online orders over the past fortnight. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden is due to speak at CyberUK on Wednesday, a government-organised gathering of tech experts and business leaders in Manchester. He will tell them: "Cyber attacks are not a game. Not a clever exercise. They are serious organised crime. "The purpose is to damage and extort. The digital version of an old-fashioned shake-down. "Either straight theft or a protection racket where your business will be safe as long as you pay the gangsters. "What we have seen over the past couple of weeks should serve as a wake-up call for businesses and organisations up and down the UK, as if we needed one, that cybersecurity is not a luxury but an absolute necessity." Mr McFadden will use the conference to say the digital world, especially cyber security, presents a huge economic opportunity for the whole of the UK. He will say the government will "turbo-charge" the sector, which will produce home-grown jobs and protect growth in other sectors by improving cybersecurity. There are about 67,000 cyber jobs in the UK, up 6,600 in the last year, and revenues top £13bn, up by 12% year-on-year. The average cyber salary in northwest England, which has become a hub, is £54,600. He will announce £7m more funding for the Laboratory of AI Security Research (LASR), which he created last November to pull together industry, academic and government experts to assess the impact of AI on UK national security. Read more: UK and India strike landmark trade deal Welsh Labour leader backs calls for winter fuel payment cut rethink The minister will also reveal a new partnership between LASR and Cisco, the American tech giant, to run challenges across the UK and build a "demonstrator" in the North West to show how scientists and entrepreneurs can work together to manage the risks around AI and build skills. Another £1.1m will be given to the Moldovan government to help them protect the country's upcoming parliamentary elections after accusations of Russian influence in last year's elections, including $15m distributed to voters to bribe them to vote for the pro-Russia candidate. Ukraine will also get £8m for its cyber programme over the next year to help counter cyber aggression by the Kremlin. "There is enormous potential for cybersecurity to be a driving force in our economy - creating jobs, growth and opportunities for people," Mr McFadden will add. "It's already a sector on the up - with over 2,000 businesses across the UK. "We want the benefits of the cyber industry to reach into communities all across the country. "And that is why cyber will be a prime target for economic growth in the upcoming industrial strategy, as the government secures Britain's future. "It is going to be a significant commitment, a vote of confidence in your sector, and one that will tell the world: the UK plans to be a global player in cyber security for decades to come."

Britain to face more cyberattacks as AI adoption grows, minister says

AI is expected to boost both the frequency and intensity of cyberattacks on Britain, warns minister Pat McFadden. Recent ransomware hits on major UK retailers highlight the threat. The government plans to unveil a new cybersecurity strategy and legislation to strengthen national digital defenses.The growth of AI will increase the number and sophistication of cyberattacks on Britain, senior minister Pat McFadden said on Wednesday. British companies, public bodies and institutions have been hit by a wave of cyberattacks in the past few years, costing them tens of millions of pounds and often months of disruption. Over the last three weeks British retailers Marks & Spencer , the Co-op Group and Harrods have all been hit by attacks, with M&S still unable to take online clothing orders. The companies have not given any details on the nature of the attacks. "Today we are declassifying an intelligence assessment that shows AI is going to increase not only the frequency but the intensity of cyberattacks in the coming years," said McFadden, who as cabinet office minister is responsible for UK cyber security. "Our security systems will only remain secure if they keep pace with what our adversaries are doing," he said. Speaking at the National Cyber Security Centre's CyberUK 2025 conference, he said that last year the NCSC received almost 2,000 reports of cyberattacks, with almost 90 deemed "significant" and 12 at "the very top end of severity". This was three times the number of severe attacks compared to the year before. McFadden said the recent cyberattacks on British retailers should serve as a wake-up call for everyone, including government and the public sector, businesses and organisations. "Cyber security isn't a luxury, it's an absolute necessity." He said the government will later this year publish a new cyber security strategy, while new legislation, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, will grant government new powers to direct regulated organisations to reinforce their cyber defences. M&S and the Co-op are widely reported to have been the victims of ransomware attacks where criminals infiltrate companies' computer systems, encrypt them and demand payment before allowing them to resume control. NCSC CEO Richard Horne told the conference he wanted to see a future where paying ransoms is no longer considered an option, where the business model for the attackers no longer works.

Britain to face more cyberattacks as AI adoption grows, minister says

LONDON (Reuters) -The growth of AI will increase the number and sophistication of cyberattacks on Britain, senior minister Pat McFadden said on Wednesday. British companies, public bodies and institutions have been hit by a wave of cyberattacks in the past few years, costing them tens of millions of pounds and often months of disruption. Over the last three weeks British retailers Marks & Spencer, the Co-op Group and Harrods have all been hit by attacks, with M&S still unable to take online clothing orders. The companies have not given any details on the nature of the attacks. "Today we are declassifying an intelligence assessment that shows AI is going to increase not only the frequency but the intensity of cyberattacks in the coming years," said McFadden, who as cabinet office minister is responsible for UK cyber security. "Our security systems will only remain secure if they keep pace with what our adversaries are doing," he said. Speaking at the National Cyber Security Centre's CyberUK 2025 conference, he said that last year the NCSC received almost 2,000 reports of cyberattacks, with almost 90 deemed "significant" and 12 at "the very top end of severity". This was three times the number of severe attacks compared to the year before. McFadden said the recent cyberattacks on British retailers should serve as a wake-up call for everyone, including government and the public sector, businesses and organisations. "Cyber security isn't a luxury, it's an absolute necessity." He said the government will later this year publish a new cyber security strategy, while new legislation, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, will grant government new powers to direct regulated organisations to reinforce their cyber defences. M&S and the Co-op are widely reported to have been the victims of ransomware attacks where criminals infiltrate companies' computer systems, encrypt them and demand payment before allowing them to resume control. NCSC CEO Richard Horne told the conference he wanted to see a future where paying ransoms is no longer considered an option, where the business model for the attackers no longer works. (Reporting by James Davey. Editing by Jane Merriman)