Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

UK cyber head says Russia responsible for 'devastating' ransomware attacks

UK cyber head says Russia responsible for 'devastating' ransomware attacks

Cyber attacks which see hackers get inside computer networks and lock the owners out until they pay a ransom present "the most immediate danger" to UK businesses in cyberspace, the head of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned.

Lindy Cameron said her agency, an arm of GCHQ, and the National Crime Agency had assessed that cyber criminals based in Russia, and its neighbours, were responsible for the most of the "devastating" ransomware attacks against the UK.

She said these types of attack posed a threat to everyone from major companies to local councils and schools.

Speaking at a Chatham House Cyber conference, Ms Cameron warned that not enough organisations were prepared for the threat or tested their cyber defences.

Lindy Cameron has been chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, the agency tasked with defending the UK in cyberspace, for just over a year

Increasingly in recent cases, criminal gangs have also threatened to release some of the data they have access to publicly.

Hackney Borough Council was hit by one attack which led to significant disruption to services and IT systems going down for months.

Ireland's Health Service Executive also suffered a significant attack this year, leading to months of disrupted appointments and services.

Ransomware has risen up the agenda in recent months, particularly the United States where an attack on the company Colonial Pipeline led to fuel shortages on the east coast.

President Biden warned President Vladimir Putin about activity that came from gangs within Russia.

A ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline in the US led to fuel shortages on the east coast of the country

There had been some signs that Russian-linked activity dipped over the summer but cyber-security experts believe much of that may be to do with the hackers taking their summer holiday rather than any fundamental shift away from what has been a highly-lucrative business model.

Ms Cameron said that ransomware would continue to be attractive while organisations remained vulnerable and were willing to pay. She said the government had been clear that paying ransoms simply emboldened criminal groups.

As well as improving its defences, she also said the UK would aim to deliver a "sustained, proactive" campaign to disrupt those harming the UK, including ransomware gangs.

This would include a range of techniques including the newly established National Cyber Force which can carry offensive hacking operations.

In a wide-ranging speech, Ms Cameron, who has served just over a year as head of the NCSC, said the pandemic continued to cast a shadow over cyber-security and was likely to do so for years to come.

"Malicious actors continue to try and access Covid related information, whether that is data on new variants or vaccine procurement plans," she said.

"Some groups may also seek to use this information to undermine public trust in government responses to the pandemic. And criminals are now regularly using Covid-themed attacks as a way of scamming the public."

She also made reference to the recent revelations about the Pegasus spyware sold by the company NSO Group, saying that the NCSC has raised a "red flag" about the growing commercial market for sophisticated products which can be used to hack into people's phones and carry out surveillance.

Last week a UK court ruling found that NSO spyware had been used to hack into the phones of the ex-wife of Dubai's ruler.

"We need to avoid a marketplace for vulnerabilities and exploits developing that makes us all less safe," she said.

She warned of the dangers of "authoritarian states like China" having the ability to influence the standards of new technology in a way that undermines the UK's security. She said the UK needed to be "clear eyed" and protect itself "against Chinese practices that have an adverse effect on our own prosperity and security".


Technology explained: what is ransomware?


AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
EU Majority Demands Hungary Reverse Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
Top Hotel Picks for 2025 Stays in Budapest Revealed
Iron Maiden Unveils 2025 Tour Setlist in Budapest
Chinese Film Week Opens in Budapest to Promote Cultural Exchange
Budapest Airport Launches Direct Flights to Shymkent
Von der Leyen Denies Urging EU Officials to Skip Budapest Pride
Alcaraz and Sinner Advance with Convincing Wins at Roland Garros
EU Ministers Lack Consensus on Sanctioning Hungary Over Rule of Law
EU Nations Urge Action Against Hungary's Pride Parade Ban
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops from Europe
Russia Deploys Motorbike Squads in Ukraine Conflict
Critics Accuse European Court of Human Rights of Overreach
Spain Proposes 100% Tax on Non-EU Holiday Home Purchases
German Intelligence Labels AfD as Far-Right Extremist
Geert Wilders Threatens Dutch Coalition Over Migration Policy
Hungary Faces Multiple Challenges Amid EU Tensions and Political Shifts
Denmark Increases Retirement Age to 70, Setting a European Precedent
Any trade deal with US must be based on respect not threats', says EU commissioner
UK Leads in Remote Work Adoption, Averaging 1.8 Days a Week
Thirteen Killed in Russian Attacks Across Ukraine
High-Profile Incidents and Political Developments Dominate Global News
Netanyahu Accuses Western Leaders of 'Emboldening Hamas'
Ukraine and Russia Conduct Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War
×