Cyber assaults plunge UK infrastructure into ‘disaster mode’ with common Brit in danger

British companies are being forced into “crisis mode” by cyber attacks from hostile states and criminal gangs. Richard Horne, the head of GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, has warned that the UK is facing a rising barrage of cyber attacks from a enemy actors.

He warned of “aggression and recklessness” from Russia and flagged that China had “highly sophisticated” means to carry out cyber attacks. In a speech from NCSC’s London HQ, he warned there had been an increase in cyber attacks in the past 12 months, with the agency tackling 430 in the year to August 31, noting that 12 of which were “top end of the scale” and were “more severe in nature”.

Now, tech experts have warned that while major British firms will be terrified about their vulnerability, regular people could also be directly affected too.

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Toon Segers, co-founder of Roseman Labs, a Deep-Tech company focused on data privacy and encryption: “When GCHQ and NCSC experts raise the volume on the severity of cyber threats, we should pay close attention. Horne saying ‘There is no room for complacency about the severity of state-led threats’ and 12 attacks were at the ‘top end of the scale’ means that adversaries have likely taken positions in networks of organizations that are vital to our daily lives.

“Having seen advanced actors nestling themselves deep into organizations in my career, this means that 12 board rooms – together with their security and IT teams – are in crisis mode to remove hackers out of their networks. This is a complex task where the adversary has the advantage.”

But the issues for the person on the street are there too. Tom South Director of Organic & Web at Epos Now explained: “The UK faces serious cyber threats from both organized crime and hostile states. These aren’t just abstract risks – they could disrupt daily life and critical infrastructure,” he said, before giving the example of the cyber issues currently being faced by Transport for London.

“Criminal organizations are getting more aggressive, targeting individuals with ransomware, phishing scams, and financial fraud,” Tom Continued. “For the average person, this means stolen data, drained bank accounts, or even having personal devices locked until a ransom is paid.

“On a national level, the stakes are higher. Hostile states could target energy grids, healthcare systems and transportation networks, causing chaos and severe economic damage. We all remember Microsoft’s IT outage and how it brought part of the world to a standstill.

“Imagine hospitals unable to access patient records. Cyberattacks could also undermine trust in institutions by spreading disinformation or tampering with elections.

“The chances? They’re increasing. Cybercriminals are leveraging more sophisticated tools and exploiting gaps in outdated systems. Without strong defenses, the question isn’t if but when. The UK needs to invest heavily in cybersecurity education, advanced defenses, and stronger international collaboration to combat these threats.

“For individuals, staying vigilant – using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding suspicious links, double-checking websites before purchasing – is the best defense. On a broader scale, prioritizing cybersecurity as a collective effort is crucial to staying ahead of these growing risks.”

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