Britain to face more cyberattacks as AI adoption grows, minister says
Live Events
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
29 minutes ago
- NDTV
UK, Allies Sanctions Israeli Ministers For 'Inciting Violence' Against Palestinians
London: Britain and four other nations imposed sanctions on Tuesday on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway joined Britain in freezing the assets and imposing travel bans on Israel's national security minister Ben-Gvir and finance minister Smotrich, both West Bank settlers. Signalling a rare split with its close British ally, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that the US condemned the move. He said it would not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, end the war there and bring home hostages Palestinian Hamas militants abducted from Israel 20 months ago. "We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organisation... We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is," Rubio said, demanding a withdrawal of the sanctions. British foreign minister David Lammy, in a joint statement with the foreign ministers of the other four nations, said Ben-Gvir and Smotrich had "incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. "This is why we have taken action now to hold those responsible to account," the statement said. Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said the sanctions included targeted financial restrictions and travel bans. Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said the action by the five countries was "outrageous" and the Israeli government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond. Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new West Bank Jewish settlement in the Hebron Hills, spoke of "contempt" for Britain's move. "We are determined, God willing, to continue building," he said. As the five nations announced action against the Israeli ministers, the United States imposed sanctions on a leading Palestinian human rights organization as well as five charity groups in the Middle East and Europe, accusing them of supporting Palestinian militants including Hamas. 'Egregious' Last month, the leaders of Britain, France and Canada put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to end a blockade on aid into Gaza, where international experts have said famine is imminent, promising "concrete action" if a new military offensive did not stop. London also suspended free trade talks with Israel for pursuing "egregious policies" in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers. In response, Netanyahu accused them of wanting to help Hamas and "being on the wrong side of history". Tuesday's joint statement said their action was focused on curbing violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and was aimed solely at individuals who "undermine Israel's own security". But it added the measures could not be seen in isolation of events in Gaza. "We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid," it said. "There must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip." The foreign ministers said they still wanted "a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on shared ties, values and commitment to (its) security and future". "We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas, which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution," the statement said. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have previously clashed with Netanyahu, both calling for the permanent conquest of Gaza and re-establishment of the Jewish settlements there that Israel abandoned in 2005, notions that the Israeli leader has rejected. Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023 in which 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, according to Israeli tallies, and 251 people were taken to Gaza and held hostage. Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza and killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
CBI seeks high court nod to chargesheet Nirav Modi's brother-in-law Maiank Mehta
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday sought permission from the Bombay High Court to file a chargesheet against fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's brother-in-law, Maiank Mehta, stating that its investigation is complete and the chargesheet is ready. Advocates Kuldeep Patil and Saili Dhuru, representing the agency, submitted the request before a bench of Justices AS Gadkari and Rajesh S advocate Amit Desai, appearing for Maiank Mehta, opposed the CBI's request and sought interim protection from coercive action not just for Maiank but also for his wife, Purvi the court declined to extend the protection to her. "Today there is no apprehension of her arrest as she is not here in India. There is no question of protecting her," the bench said. Purvi Mehta, a Belgian national and Nirav Modi's sister, was chargesheeted by the CBI in March this year in connection with the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. Both she and Maiank Mehta were previously listed as wanted accused by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).In exchange for full disclosure, the ED accepted Maiank and Purvi Mehta as approvers and granted them a pardon under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The special PMLA court even allowed Maiank, a British national based in Hong Kong, to return home after he promised to cooperate with the proceedings. However, the CBI has consistently opposed his travel and has not accepted him as an CBI has alleged that Purvi Mehta was one of the beneficiaries of the funds acquired through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LOUs) issued by PNB at Nirav Modi's behest. While Maiank Mehta was questioned several times by the CBI, he was not named in the chargesheet due to a Bombay High Court order directing the agency not to take coercive action against him. That protection has been in effect since July 25, 2022, and the CBI has been seeking its removal Purvi Mehta has filed a petition in the High Court seeking protection from arrest and prosecution by the CBI, arguing that she has already been pardoned in the ED's case. She has also sought the quashing of the chargesheet filed against her or, at the very least, a stay on proceedings until her petition is court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for July Watch
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
An ode to the first RCB member: Vijay Mallya
The 2000s were a strange but delightful decade. The country was witnessing the first benefits of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation. Before Elon Musk even began his business, Vijay Mallya was the first celebrity businessman India ever had. The traditional idea of Indian businessmen was to be humble, charitable, and never appear in front of the media. Mallya took those rules and poured champagne all over them. Magazines would sell with him on the cover. Media channels flocked to get a byte from him, or entry into his now legendary parties. My first flight was on Kingfisher Airlines, and my first beer was a Kingfisher. For a nation that was defined as a 'third world country', Mallya gave us glimpses into India stumbling onto the world's stage. He bought an F1 company long before Netflix made it cool. He bought Tipu Sultan's sword back from the British. For a young Hriday, he signified aspiration. He was the King of Good Times. And I resolved to work my way up in life to at least become a Minister of Good Times! For an outsider like me, Bengaluru stood for the city of gentlemanly cricketers, lush greenery, and gentle, educated people. Mallya taught the city how to party. It is a divine coincidence that RCB inherited some of Mallya's flashy traits. Humongous events, brand partnerships, and glitzy kits. Like Mallya's business choices, RCB also fumbled for a few years. Unlike the Vijay Mallya story, RCB found its redemption arc. The team was ridiculed, mocked, and written off – only to return in style to claim the riches. While RCB will always have its die-hard fans who have transferred their love to the next generation – the Vijay Mallya story is still mired in legal troubles. But as a victorious Bengaluru reached out to veterans like AB de Villiers, my thoughts went out to Vijay Mallya. When RCB won, he put out a video with his hands raised – a muted, CSK sort of a celebration. But for an impressionable teenager who has now metamorphosed into a middle-aged man – it took me back to joy of flying for the first time, and thanking Vijay Mallya – for a fantastic experience, food, and the red plastic earphones that were bundled in for free. I wouldn't recommend drinking, but if you choose to indulge, I'd recommend raising a toast to Vijay Vittal Mallya – the exiled King of Good Times! (The writer's views are personal)
