‘Broader and deeper’ online risk to UK from criminals and state-backed hackers

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK’s reliance on technology across government, businesses and people’s personal lives has left us more vulnerable to potentially devastating online attacks, the head of the cyber security agency warned. National Cyber Security Centre chief Richard Horne said the threat was “getting broader and in some parts deeper”, with online criminals and state-backed hackers from countries such as Russia and China looking to exploit vulnerabilities. “It’s more a case of more and more technology is impeding on our lives, we are depending on it more, and as a result, data is leaving us to go elsewhere, and that’s very much part of the risk we need to understand.” The NCSC’s annual review showed a threefold increase in the most serious cyber incidents affecting the UK in 2023-24, but Mr Horne warned the danger is still being “widely underestimated” by both public and private sector organisations and individuals. Asked whether he was more concerned or more reassured as a result of his time at the cyber defence agency, he said: “I think you’re more concerned because you do see the stark truth about the risk, but more reassured because there is so much happening.” The NCSC was part of a cyber defence community “and I think if there’s one thing we have in this country that is probably better than anywhere else, it’s the way we can pull together as that community across all parts of society and protect ourselves together”.