Brits going through wave of cyberattacks from Russia, China and Iran as World War III ramps up
The number of nationally significant cyber security incidents handled by the NCSC, part of spy hub GCHQ, doubled to four every week in 2025
Brits are set to experience cyberattacks (stock)
Brits could be facing a “perfect storm” of major cyber attacks, as experts warn hits on national infrastructure are now the “home front” for global conflicts.
Dr Richard Horne, of the National Cyber Security Centre, said most of the attacks on Britain’s cyber security come from Russia, Iran and China.
Speaking at the CyberUK conference in Glasgow, Dr Horne will highlight that rapid technological advancements and escalating international tensions are fostering “tumultuous uncertainty” for the nation.
The number of nationally significant incidents managed by the NCSC, a division of intelligence centre GCHQ, doubled to four every week in 2025.
Hostile nations and criminals are utilising increasingly potent AI tools.
Dr Horne will caution the Glasgow security conference that Russia has refined its skills in its war against Ukraine and is “moving them beyond the battlefield”.
Iran is “almost certainly” employing cyber activity to aid the repression of British individuals on our streets who are perceived as a threat to the regime, according to findings from the UK’s cyber agency.
China is already a “capable cyber threat” with an “eye-watering” level of sophistication.
Security minister Dan Jarvis will encourage AI bosses to enhance UK cyber defences, while £90million will be allocated to assist smaller businesses in warding off hackers.
Cyber Security Minister, Baroness Lloyd, stated: “The cyber threat facing UK businesses is serious, growing and evolving fast.
AI is giving attackers capabilities that would have seemed extraordinary just a year ago, and no organisation can afford to be complacent.”
Dr Horne will also stress the importance of embracing AI and preparing for future threats like quantum computing, stating that cybersecurity is a crucial part of defence amid significant geopolitical shifts.
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