NCSC Raises UK National Cyber Threat Level

The national cyber security centre (NSCS) raises the UK's cyber threat level

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a government organisation responsible for providing guidance, support, and advice to public and private sector organisations on cyber security matters.

On 19th April 2023 the NCSC upgraded the official cyber threat level. Emerging cyber threats pose a significant risk to organisations and critical national infrastructure, warns the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new class of state-aligned cyber adversaries has emerged, posing a heightened threat to Western critical national infrastructure (CNI). 

Focus on DDOs Attacks

Although not necessarily under formal state control, these groups are sympathetic to Russia’s invasion and ideologically motivated.

While their primary focus is on DDoS attacks, website defacements, and the spread of misinformation, some have expressed an interest in causing a more disruptive and destructive impact against CNI in the UK and elsewhere.

The NCSC has warned that these groups are less predictable and more challenging to defend against than traditional cybercrime actors. They are likely to exploit poorly protected systems, and without external assistance, it is unlikely that they have the capability to deliberately cause a destructive impact in the short term.

However, over time, they may become more effective, increasing the risk to organisations and CNI.

To manage this risk, the NCSC recommends that organisations take immediate steps to enhance their cyber security defences, including implementing the measures described in the ‘Actions to take when the cyber threat is heightened’ guidance.

This includes following NCSC advice on secure system administration and implementing the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) to identify areas for improvement.

Larger organisations, in particular, may benefit from using the CAF’s ‘indicators of good practice’ to bolster their cyber security defences. The NCSC also recommends ongoing monitoring and analysis of network traffic to detect any suspicious activity and respond promptly to potential cyber attacks.

In conclusion, the emergence of state-aligned cyber adversaries poses a significant threat to organisations and critical national infrastructure, with a particular risk of disruption and destruction.

The NCSC’s recommendations for enhancing cyber security defences are critical to managing this risk and safeguarding against potential attacks.

Organisations must act now to mitigate this risk, and the NCSC’s guidance provides a valuable roadmap to achieve this.

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