The head of GCHQ is set to warn that Russia is 'relentlessly' targeting critical infrastructure, democratic processes, supply chains, and public trust in the UK and Europe. Anne Keast-Butler will deliver the inaugural GCHQ annual lecture on Wednesday, highlighting how Russia is increasing its daily hybrid activity against countries including Britain.
Urgent Call for Cyber Security
Keast-Butler will urge businesses and members of the public to help boost cyber security in Britain 'from boardrooms to living rooms'. She is expected to call for making cyber security '10 times more urgent', emphasizing the need for proactive measures against evolving threats.
Russia's Hybrid Activity
The GCHQ director will detail the organisation's efforts in 'disrupting Russia's efforts to smuggle western tech, fending off cyber attacks, and countering reckless sabotage and assassination attempts'. She will note that 'as we remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, Putin is going backwards on the battlefield'.
Technological Advancements and Threats
Keast-Butler will highlight that the speed of advancements in technology means there is a 'narrowing window for the UK and allies to stay ahead'. She will point out that 'China is now a science and tech superpower, with sophisticated capabilities across their intelligence, cyber and military agencies', and rapid progression in AI means 'the ground beneath our feet is shifting'.
Call to Action for Public and Industry
She will urge the technology industry and those working in national security to 'anticipate and drive advancements, together, at the speed of the frontier'. The public is also called upon to take action, with Keast-Butler stating: 'At home, that means taking important action now to switch passwords for passkeys, and for wider society, it means hardwiring security into new technologies, protecting supply chains and making cyber security 10 times more urgent.'
Previous Warnings from NCSC
Earlier this year, Dr Richard Horne, head of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is part of GCHQ, warned that most nationally significant cyber attacks on Britain were carried out by hostile states including China, Iran, and Russia. He said the body dealt with around four such attacks each week and warned businesses to be prepared to protect themselves without paying ransoms, as the UK could be targeted 'at scale' if involved in an international conflict.
