Security warning UK critical infrastructure still at risk from devastating cyber attack

Not enough is being done to protect against cyber attacks on energy, water and other vital services.

Science & Tech 21:38 19.11.2018

An ongoing failure to act with "meaningful sense of purpose or urgency" in the face of threats posed by cyber criminals and hackers puts critical national infrastructure at unnecessary risk from cyber attacks, a UK Parliamentary committee has warned.

The UK experienced a taste of the damage that cyber attacks can cause when the global WannaCry ransomware outbreak took down large portions of the National Health Service in 2017, causing disruption to hospitals and patients across the country.

Meanwhile, a recent warning from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) suggested that hostile states will attempt deadly cyber attacks against the UK that threaten loss of life and other major consequences.

Despite these threats, the general public still only has a "limited appreciation" of what could be the "devastating" results of a major cyber attack against critical national infrastructure such as energy, health services, transport or water, according to a new report from the UK Parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.

The problems go to the very top, the report says: despite the growing and evolving threat to the UK's critical national infrastructure, the country lacks the political leadership required to face the issue.

Its inquiry into cyber security and critical infrastructure has concluded that there's no "controlling mind" at the centre of government for managing cyber risks and that "identifiable political leadership is lacking".

The implication is that if this isn't remedied quickly, the UK is putting itself needlessly at risk from cyber attacks -- be they from nation-state backed hacking groups or criminal gangs.

"We are struck by the absence of political leadership at the centre of Government in responding to this top-tier national security threat," said Margaret Beckett MP, Chair of the Joint Committee.

"It is a matter of real urgency that the Government makes clear which Cabinet Minister has cross-government responsibility for driving and delivering improved cyber security, especially in relation to our critical national infrastructure," Beckett added.

The report suggests that "complex arrangements" for ministerial responsibility means that Ministers are only occasionally "checking in" on the issue of security in critical infrastructure.

Describing this set up as "wholly inadequate" and "inappropriate in view of the Government's own assessment that major cyber attacks are a top-tier national security threat," the committee recommends that the government appoints a Cabinet Office Minister for a new role focused on delivering improved resilience across the UK's national infrastructure.

"There should be a Cabinet Office Minister designated as cyber security lead who, as in a war situation, has the exclusive task of assembling the resources--in both the public and private sectors--and executing the measures needed to defend against the threat," the report said.

Other recommendations include how more must be done to ensure the issues are understood all the way down the supply chain and at board level -- and how the next National Cyber Security Strategy should map out interdependencies between different critical infrastructure sectors to help determine national-level risks.

The report also calls on the government to be more transparent about its National Cyber Security Programme, noting how the government is "unwilling" to publish any information about it beyond its total budget of £1.9 billion.

In response to the report, a government spokesperson told ZDNet that "Ensuring our critical national infrastructure is secure and resilient against cyber attacks is a priority for the Government, which is why we are investing £1.9bn to improve our cyber capabilities".

However, nothing was forthcoming on whether the recommendation of appointing a new minister will be followed: "Ministers have clear responsibilities that are rightly shared because every part of government must respond to the challenges we face," the spokesperson said

Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
11:55 19.03.2024
Fenerbahçe to discuss withdrawing from 'Super Lig'
11:32 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
11:08 19.03.2024
US Maritime Administration issues new advisory amid rising maritime threats in Middle East
10:55 19.03.2024
EU looks forward to cooperation with Azerbaijan for successful COP29
10:38 19.03.2024
EU to impose tariffs on Russian grain
10:11 19.03.2024
Embassy of Azerbaijan in France appeals to Azerbaijanis
10:00 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
09:48 19.03.2024
Mehriban Aliyeva makes post on Last Tuesday before Novruz Holiday
09:35 19.03.2024
Pashinyan: Delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan entered practical stage
09:00 19.03.2024
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
12:17 18.03.2024
Why does Azerbaijan matter to the European Union? - OPINION
12:00 18.03.2024
Number of human remains found in mass grave in Khojaly reaches 19
11:45 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
11:33 18.03.2024
EU Council to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization
11:23 18.03.2024
Global Terrorism Index: Azerbaijan among countries with highest anti-terror rating worldwide
10:56 18.03.2024
Hamısı