Britons will be warned to stockpile food and water amid mounting fears of a Russian cyber attack, according to new plans being drawn up by ministers. The advice, expected to be published later this year, will urge households to create a store of food, survival tools, and medicine as part of a 'resilience and public awareness campaign' to ready the public for emergencies.
Government Warns of Hybrid Attack as Early as Next Year
Darren Jones, a close ally of the Prime Minister, told MPs that the government is warning of a potential 'hybrid' attack on the UK by a foreign state as early as next year. He said civil servants will be marshalled to plan their response in a 'national home defence exercise' and that there would be 'small but important steps they can take to be prepared in case of emergencies and disruption.'
Mr Jones added that in the event of a crisis, a cyber attack could 'impact access to power, water, phone signal or local shops to get food.' The warning follows the Strategic Defence Review carried out in Whitehall last year, which reported 'daily' attacks on the country from hostile states, including Vladimir Putin's Russia and Iran.
National Risk Register Updated to Include Cyber Threats
Civil servants have reportedly updated the National Risk Register, a document outlining worst-case scenarios from a range of threats. The latest version includes the growing threat of cyber attacks on data infrastructure, water infrastructure, and police systems. Ministers are required to publish the advice to the public, which is understood to be similar to warnings issued by EU nations. The EU currently instructs citizens to prepare a 72-hour stockpile, including ID documents, canned food, bottled water, matches, and a Swiss army knife.
Government Emphasises Preparedness Amid Rising Tensions
Mr Jones attempted to reassure MPs that the country has long 'overcome challenges from plagues and pandemics to war and our fair share of wet weather.' He added: 'It is right that we consistently evaluate the risks we could face and plan for what may come.' The alarming warning comes as Britain and its allies grow increasingly concerned about sabre rattling from Russian despot Vladimir Putin, who has shown a 'willingness to use military force, inflict harm on civilians, and threaten the use of nuclear weapons,' according to the Strategic Defence Review.
