UK could face ‘hacktivist attacks at scale’, says head of security agency

Officials warn a conflict situation could cause disruption similar to recent major ransomware incidents

The UK could face “hacktivist attacks at scale” if it becomes embroiled in a conflict and the impact could be similar to recent high-profile ransomware incidents, according to the head of the country’s online security agency.

Richard Horne, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), will warn today that nation states now account for the most significant incidents the NCSC deals with.

“Were we to be in, or near, a conflict situation, the UK would likely face hacktivist attacks at scale. With similar effects and sophistication to the ransomware attacks we see today. But … no option to pay a ransom to help recover,” the NCSC chief will say in a speech on Wednesday opening the annual CyberUK conference in Glasgow.

Ransomware gangs – who demand a payment in exchange for unlocking IT systems they have encrypted – have hit a host of British targets in recent years including Marks & Spencer, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Royal Mail. In the case of JLR, the as-yet-unattributed attack slowed growth in the UK economy by hitting car production.