The UK’s growing reliance on technology has made it a prime target for cyberattacks. As cyber threats increase in sophistication and frequency, cyber resilience has become a critical national priority
Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, sophisticated, and damaging. Given the escalating number of cyber incidents targeting critical sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and public services, cyber resilience must be a top priority for the new UK government.
The new UK government must take decisive action to protect the nation’s security, economy, and public trust from the escalating threat of cyberattacks.
Why has there been an increased number of cyber-related incidents in the UK?
The UK’s exposure to cyber threats has been growing for several reasons. First, as digital transformation advances, so does the attack surface available to malicious actors. More organisations, from public sector bodies to private businesses, are integrating cloud services, remote work, and digital infrastructures. While these technologies offer significant benefits, they also create more potential entry points for cybercriminals.
Foreign actors, particularly from hostile states, have been playing an increasingly aggressive role in targeting the UK’s digital infrastructure. Cyber espionage, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns are designed to destabilise national security, undermine trust in democratic processes, and cause economic harm. The healthcare sector has been hit particularly hard. The recent cyberattacks on NHS hospitals, orchestrated by ransomware gangs such as Qilin, have highlighted the vulnerabilities within critical national infrastructure. These attacks demonstrate the sophistication of modern cybercriminals, who use tactics like spear-phishing and ransomware to gain unauthorised access to vital systems.
Moreover, cybercriminal groups have embraced advanced techniques like Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), which has democratised access to malicious software. This means that even less technically savvy individuals can deploy highly disruptive ransomware attacks against vulnerable targets, often with the backing or involvement of organised criminal networks. RaaS and other cybercrime models have surged in recent years, providing an easy route for actors looking to exploit weak security measures.
Cyber consequences for the UK
The impact of increased cyberattacks on the UK has been profound. Perhaps most alarmingly, the healthcare sector has suffered catastrophic disruptions. The NHS, already strained by limited resources and the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, has been repeatedly targeted by ransomware attacks. These attacks can paralyse hospital systems, preventing access to patient data, disrupting critical care, and forcing emergency rooms to turn away patients. The long-term implications for public health are severe, as delayed treatments and service interruptions can lead to life-threatening consequences for patients.
The economic damage inflicted by these cyberattacks is also immense. Businesses across the UK face growing financial costs from cybersecurity incidents, including ransom payments, recovery expenses, and lost productivity. In fact, a successful ransomware attack can cripple a company for days or even weeks, particularly if backups are not readily available or if critical systems are severely compromised. According to estimates, the cost of cybercrime to the UK economy runs into billions of pounds annually.
Last year, EDF – the company in charge of several UK nuclear power plants – was given significant regulatory attention after an inspection of its cybersecurity practices. According to the report, EDF is still yet to provide a comprehensive cybersecurity plan despite claiming to be taking the matter seriously. This shows that even the largest companies in the UK, with large amounts of private data, are not taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves from potential threats. Under new government regulations, Labour must include minimum requirements for cybersecurity resilience to provide added security to critical national infrastructure.
Beyond the direct costs to healthcare and business, the UK’s national security is also at risk. Cyber espionage campaigns targeting the UK’s defence systems, government organisations, and intelligence networks can result in the theft of sensitive information, putting the country’s security apparatus at risk. Moreover, disinformation campaigns deployed through cyberattacks undermine trust in public institutions and elections, eroding democratic values and sowing discord within the population.
The effects on public trust cannot be underestimated. Each high-profile cyber incident that makes headlines diminishes confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens, both physically and digitally. The public may grow increasingly concerned about how secure their personal data is and whether essential services—such as healthcare, financial systems, or even public utilities—are adequately safeguarded.
However, it does seem that the UK government is aware of the need for change. They recently announced that data centres throughout the country will now be recognised as critical national infrastructure and invested £3.75 billion in a new data centre. It is only a start, but it shows that the government is aware of the issue they face and that they are willing to tackle it head-on.
What the New Government Should Do
To address these pressing challenges, the new UK government must adopt a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity and cyber resilience. Securing the nation’s infrastructure should be a central priority, as it forms the foundation for public trust and national stability. Here are several crucial steps the government should consider:
- Strengthen National Cybersecurity Infrastructure
- The government must prioritise bolstering its cybersecurity infrastructure across all critical sectors. This includes improving the security of government systems, utilities, healthcare, financial institutions, and other key industries that underpin the economy. Robust defences, such as advanced encryption methods, multi-factor authentication, and stronger intrusion detection systems, should be implemented. The UK should also ensure that its cybersecurity infrastructure aligns with the latest international standards and frameworks.
- Adopt Comprehensive Cyber Legislation
- The UK can take valuable lessons from the EU’s NIS2 Directive, a comprehensive framework designed to secure national infrastructure by setting mandatory security standards for organisations. NIS2 mandates those entities across critical sectors—including healthcare, energy, and transportation—are responsible for safeguarding their supply chains. While this directive has its critics, its framework promotes a culture of cybersecurity accountability and may offer a blueprint for the UK to implement its own legislation. The UK government should explore adopting similar regulations, ensuring that businesses and public entities adhere to rigorous cybersecurity standards and are held accountable for any lapses.
- Promote Cybersecurity Awareness and Education
- Many cyberattacks, particularly those involving ransomware, begin with simple phishing attempts that exploit human error. The government should focus on educating the public and organisations about cybersecurity best practices. This includes rolling out awareness campaigns that teach individuals how to recognise phishing attempts, avoid suspicious links, and securely manage their personal data. Cybersecurity training for employees in both the public and private sectors is vital to closing security gaps that hackers often exploit.
- Enhance Collaboration Between Public and Private Sectors
- Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between the public and private sectors. The new government should establish stronger partnerships with private companies, cybersecurity experts, and international bodies to share intelligence on emerging threats and develop coordinated responses. A collaborative approach will ensure that the UK is better equipped to anticipate and mitigate cyber risks.
- Prepare for the Future with Cyber Resilience
- Cyber resilience means preventing cyberattacks and being prepared to respond to and recover from them when they occur. The new government should develop contingency plans that allow critical infrastructure to continue functioning during a cyber crisis. This includes robust data backups, disaster recovery protocols, and incident response teams that can rapidly address any threats that arise.
Act now for a more secure future
The UK faces an unprecedented level of cyber threats that endanger its national security, economic stability, and public trust. To meet these challenges head-on, the new government must prioritise cyber resilience. By strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure, adopting comprehensive legislation, promoting awareness, fostering collaboration, and preparing for future attacks, the UK can build a more secure and resilient digital future.
The time for action is now.
The philosophy of cybersecurity has evolved from protection over discovery to resilience. This shift follows the understanding that we can no longer assume we might be able to keep attackers at bay and out of our networks. The reality is that they will get in.
The more important questions become: Have I already detected them, and how long might the organisation take to recover? Following this new perspective, the government must adopt a resilience perspective when writing strategy and policy. Otherwise, the UK is left vulnerable.
