Russian hackers are plotting cyber attacks on the NHS, nuclear power plants and Whitehall ministries, the world’s top intelligence alliance warned today.
The Five Eyes security network - involving the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand - issued an alert accusing the Russian government of exploring options for potential web assaults against critical organisations.
The spy coalition urged them to bolster cyber defences as they face a heightened risk of Kremlin-sponsored attacks.
According to the alert, "evolving intelligence" suggests hackers within the Russian government are seeking to engage in "malicious cyber activity" in response to the "unprecedented economic sanctions" imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
There is also concern that hackers are targeting critical infrastructure in countries that have provided "materiel support" to Ukrainian forces.
In response to the increased risk, the Five Eyes alert outlines a number of immediate actions critical infrastructure organisations can take to “prepare for and mitigate potential cyber threats”.
These include immediately updating software, enforcing multifactor authentication, securing and monitoring “potentially risky” services such as remote desktop protocols, and providing end-user awareness and training.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay, the minister responsible for cyber security, told The Daily Telegraph: “Cyber attacks recognise no physical or geographical boundary and it has never been more important to plan and invest in cyber resilience.”
