Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has reported a sharp rise in hostile cyber activities targeting the UK, with a 16% increase in incidents handled in 2024 compared to the previous year. Richard Horne, the NCSC’s cybersecurity chief, highlighted the growing sophistication and intensity of cyberattacks in a speech delivered on Tuesday.
“Hostile activity in UK cyberspace has increased in frequency, sophistication, and intensity,” Horne stated, emphasizing the vulnerabilities of technology dependence being exploited for maximum disruption.
The NCSC’s Incident Management team responded to 430 cyber incidents in 2024, a significant increase from 371 incidents in 2023. Of these, 347 cases involved data exfiltration, while 20 incidents were linked to ransomware attacks. The agency also issued 542 targeted notifications to organizations about cyber threats, more than double the 258 notifications sent the previous year.
Ransomware and Emerging AI Threats
The agency’s annual review, released in conjunction with the speech, identified ransomware as the “most immediate and disruptive” threat, particularly to critical infrastructure such as energy, water, transportation, healthcare, and telecommunications. The report further warned about the potential for hackers to weaponize artificial intelligence (AI) to develop more sophisticated attack vectors.
Escalating Risks and Urgent Action Needed
Horne urged vigilance, stating, “We believe the severity of the risk facing the UK is being widely underestimated. There is no room for complacency about the severity of state-led threats or the volume of the threat posed by cybercriminals.”
The NCSC, a branch of Britain’s GCHQ intelligence agency, reiterated its commitment to strengthening the UK’s cyber resilience by offering guidance, bespoke notifications, and incident management for organizations nationwide.
This uptick in cyber threats underscores the critical importance of proactive cybersecurity measures and the evolving landscape of technological risks.
