Richard Horne, head of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, warned that the country will likely face AI cyberattacks on its critical infrastructure by 2028, the Associated Press reported in SecurityWeek. He said the threat could include AI-powered malware used in ransomware attacks. It is a forecast, not a report of an attack that has happened.
The NCSC’s annual cyber report says AI use by states and criminals is highly likely to increase the scale and efficiency of hostile operations, according to the AP account. The report says AI is more likely to enhance existing tactics than uncover brand-new vulnerabilities. Horne warned that weaknesses tolerated for too long could be exploited “at a scale that was once unimaginable.”
Horne pointed to electricity switching, water-facility sluice gates and refrigeration controls as examples of physical processes that depend on technology. He warned that leaders who have “got away with tech on the cheap” could have to explain why “food isn’t on the shelves, lights aren’t on, businesses have gone under” if they fail to invest in cybersecurity or update outdated systems, AP reported. Those disruptions were part of his warning, not outcomes of the forecast.
The NCSC’s recommended measures include keeping devices up to date, limiting administrator access and backing up important files, according to AP. Neowin reports that the agency also urges adequate security investment and removal of unnecessary internet connections.
