Fact Check
UK Cybersecurity Chief Warns of Surge in Hostile Cyber Activity, 16% Spike in Incidents in 2024
LONDON : Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has reported a significant surge in cyber threats, with hostile activities becoming more frequent, sophisticated, and intense in 2024. The agency revealed a 16% increase in incidents compared to the previous year, raising concerns about the evolving cyber landscape.
“Hostile activity in UK cyberspace has escalated in frequency, sophistication, and intensity,” said Richard Horne, the NCSC’s cybersecurity chief, in remarks prepared for a speech later today. “Cyber actors are leveraging our dependence on technology to maximize disruption and destruction,” he added, as per a government agency statement.
Incident Surge Reflects Growing Cyber Risks
In 2024, the NCSC’s incident management team dealt with 430 cyber incidents, a sharp increase from the 371 reported in 2023. Of these, 347 cases involved data exfiltration, where sensitive data was covertly and unlawfully transferred from systems. Meanwhile, 20 cases were attributed to ransomware attacks, further emphasizing the growing complexity of cyber threats.
The agency also issued 542 tailored alerts to organizations impacted by cyber incidents, offering advice on mitigation strategies. This figure more than doubled the 258 notifications issued in the previous year, highlighting the rising scale of the threat.
Ransomware Tops Cybersecurity Concerns
In its annual review, the NCSC identified ransomware attacks as the most “immediate and disruptive” threat to critical infrastructure, including sectors like energy, water, transportation, healthcare, and telecommunications. The review also cautioned against the potential misuse of artificial intelligence by hackers to develop more sophisticated cyberattacks.
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“The severity of the risks facing the UK is being widely underestimated,” Horne is expected to warn in his speech. “There is no room for complacency regarding state-led threats or the sheer volume of criminal cyber activity.”
The cybersecurity chief’s warnings underscore the urgent need for resilience and robust defenses to safeguard the UK’s critical infrastructure from escalating cyber risks.
