At the Singapore International Cyber Week, Dr Richard Horne, the CEO of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), spoke about the need for global collaboration to tackle the growing gap between escalating cyber threats and our defence capabilities
As our society increasingly relies on technology, the risks associated with cyber threats are also rising, making it important to increase our resilience.
Escalating threats calls for urgent action.
Dr Horne pointed out that the threat we face is becoming more complex, with a significant rise in cyber incidents. In 2024, the NCSC has already encountered a 50% rise in nationally significant incidents compared to 2023, as well as a threefold increase in severe cases.
This escalation shows the need for coordinated international efforts to strengthen cyber resilience and ensure that security is embedded in technology from the start.
International cooperation
He also highlighted the importance of preparing the public and private sectors to defend themselves against cyber attacks and to be able to recover quickly from them. The rapid expansion of cyber capabilities has widened the threat landscape, which has previously been dominated by nation-states and well-resourced actors.
This shift shows the need for global collaboration, such as the Counter Ransomware Initiative, which aims to establish guidelines for organisations dealing with ransomware payments. This effort recently got support from 39 nations and several international insurance bodies.
Long term security
Not only does the threat need to be addressed immediately, but Dr Horne also warned about the long-term vulnerability of technological innovations if they are not managed and secured properly throughout their lifecycle.
He suggested developers adopt a forward-thinking approach to ensure that today’s technologies can withstand future cyber threats. This lifecycle management is important for the maintenance of security and resilience of technological advancements as they grow into legacy systems.
Dr Horne also analysed the key role that governments play in guiding this topic, stressing that businesses and public services can’t address these challenges alone.
His visit to Singapore highlights the strategic importance of international partnerships in cybersecurity.
