Britain faces an imminent threat of crippling cyber attacks from Russia that could ‘turn out the lights for millions’, a senior minister will warn at a NATO cyber defense conference in London.
Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is expected to highlight Russia’s willingness to wage cyberwar against critical infrastructure and businesses, urging companies to strengthen their defenses.
Mr McFadden will describe Russia as “exceptionally aggressive and reckless” on cyber in an attempt to destabilize countries that support Ukraine. He will warn that Russian attacks could cut electricity grids and disrupt the British economy, highlighting that both the state and independent cybercriminals linked to the Kremlin are actively expanding their targets to include NATO members.
“Russia’s cyber capabilities could be as destabilizing and disabling as military action,” Mr McFadden will argue, adding that hackers have already targeted Britain’s energy networks, telecoms companies and democratic institutions. Recent NHS hospital hacks, believed to involve Russian groups, have postponed more than 800 operations, including crucial cancer treatments.
Mr McFadden will also highlight the growing sophistication of “hacktivist” groups that act independently of the Kremlin but with tacit approval. He will cite attacks on local councils and NATO allies as examples of how these actors are expanding their reach and wreaking havoc.
“These groups are unpredictable and capable of causing significant damage with a single miscalculation,” he will say. “Putin is keen to exploit any gaps in our defenses and target British companies and infrastructure.”
The government is preparing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to strengthen the UK’s cyber defenses. The proposed legislation will give regulators the power, force companies to report attacks and require essential infrastructure providers to secure their supply chains. Ministers are also in talks with business leaders to improve cyber defenses amid estimates that cybercrime is costing the UK £27 billion a year.
The warning comes as tensions escalate over Russian threats to attack countries that supply Ukraine with weapons, including Britain’s Storm Shadow missiles. Last month, Russia tested a medium-range missile and hinted it could retaliate against Western countries, making the need for robust cyber protection even more urgent.