The UK government has updated its national resilience plans and is urging the public to take 'small but important steps' to prepare for potential food and water shortages, according to Cabinet Office Minister Darren Jones. A new public awareness campaign is expected later this year to help people prepare for disruptions caused by severe weather or cyber attacks.
Government urges public preparedness
Darren Jones stated: 'It is right that we consistently evaluate the risks we could face and plan for what may come. This year we saw temperatures across the UK breaking records in May, only to be exceeded again in June, and AI offers new ways for criminals to carry out cyber-attacks against us, as well as offering huge opportunities for our economy and security. The government will do all it can, and we are well prepared – but we can all play our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.'
New risks identified in national risk register
The UK's national risk register has added seven new risks this year, including the threat of a cyber attack on water infrastructure. A worst-case scenario in London could impact more than one million people. The register warns: 'The reasonable worst-case scenario assumes an advanced cyber actor infiltrates the OT systems of a water company. The attacker deploys malware that erases critical data and disables key components controlling essential operational functions. This results in the water company losing visibility and control of its systems, causing a major disruption to water supply and wastewater services for a large population.'
Food supply vulnerabilities
The UK imports over a third of its food, making its food and water supply more vulnerable than in some other countries. The nationwide resilience plan aims to help Brits prepare for emergencies, whether related to food supply, water, weather, or worst-case scenarios.
