According to the former head of the UK's Cybersecurity Agency, the UK is not giving enough attention to the “game-changing” cyber espionage tactics used by China. These tactics are aimed at infiltrating critical infrastructure like energy and communication networks.
Ciarán Martin, the former chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, highlighted the US warnings about Chinese state-backed hackers targeting important sectors as a significant moment in Beijing’s cyberwarfare approach.
Martin emphasized the need for the UK to focus more on threats in various sectors and civil society. He suggested that the government should clearly communicate to China that threats of disrupting key infrastructure are not acceptable.
During the DTX conference at Manchester Tech Week, Martin expressed concerns about China’s shift towards Moscow-style cyber tactics, despite lacking experience in destructive cyber operations like Russia.
Citing FBI Director Christopher Wray, Martin pointed out the infiltration of key US infrastructure by Chinese government-backed hackers. Wray warned about the potential for devastating attacks on critical sectors like telecommunications and energy.
Martin also mentioned the British Library’s ransomware attack as an example of the disruption caused by cyberattacks on infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of addressing such threats to prevent damage and chaos.
In response to cyberattacks by Chinese hackers, the UK government considered mandatory reporting of ransomware attacks and seeking victim permission before paying a ransom. Martin applauded these measures as a serious effort in addressing cybersecurity issues.
Source: www.theguardian.com
