The UK faces the imminent threat of crippling cyber attacks from Russia, capable of “turning off the lights for millions”, warns a senior minister at NATO’s cyber defense conference in London.
Pat McFadyen, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is expected to highlight Russia’s willingness to wage cyber warfare targeting critical infrastructure and businesses, and urge companies to strengthen their defences.
Macfadyen will describe Russia as “exceptionally aggressive and reckless” in the cyber domain, seeking to destabilize countries that support Ukraine. He will warn that Russian attacks could shut down electricity networks and disrupt the UK economy, stressing that both the state and independent cybercriminals allied with the Kremlin are actively expanding their targets to include NATO members.
“Russia’s cyber capabilities can be as destabilizing and debilitating as military action,” Mr. McFadden will state, adding that hackers have already targeted the UK’s energy and communications networks and democratic institutions. Recent hacks of NHS hospitals, believed to have involved Russian groups, have led to the postponement of more than 800 surgeries, including critical cancer treatments.
McFadden will also emphasize the increasing sophistication of “hackert” groups that operate 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 causing chaos.
“These groups are unpredictable and capable of causing significant damage with a single miscalculation,” he will say. He added: “Putin is happy to exploit any gaps in our defences, and target British companies and infrastructure.”
The government is preparing a draft Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill to strengthen the UK’s cyber defences. The proposed legislation would empower regulators, force companies to report attacks, and require critical infrastructure providers to secure their supply chains. Ministers are also collaborating with business leaders to improve cyber defenses amid estimates that cyber crime costs the UK £27 billion a year.
This warning comes as tensions escalate after Russia’s threats to target countries that supply Ukraine with weapons, including British Storm Shadow missiles. Last month, Russia tested a medium-range missile and hinted that it might retaliate against Western countries, adding urgency to the need for strong cyber protection.