National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) News

Britain’s National Grid Drops China-Based Supplier Over Cyber Security Fears: FT

Britain’s National Grid has started removing components supplied by a unit of China-backed Nari Technology from the electricity transmission network over cyber security fears, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. The decision came in April after the utility sought advice …

UK’s Voter Register Was Hacked. No One Noticed for 15 Months.

Hackers were able to access UK voter registers undetected for 15 months, the Electoral Commission said, raising questions about data security even as it played down fears about the impact on elections. “Hostile actors” could obtain the name and address …

French, UK Cyber Watchdogs Say Hackers-for-Hire Are Targeting Law Firms

Mercenary hackers increasingly are targeting law firms in a bid to steal data that could tip the balance in legal cases, French and British authorities say, echoing a Reuters investigation that uncovered the phenomenon last year. In a pair of …

Hackers Who Breached ION Say Ransom Has Been Paid; Company Declines Comment

The hackers who claimed responsibility for a disruptive breach at financial data firm ION say a ransom has been paid, although they declined to say how much it was or offer any evidence that the money had been handed over. …

Britain Sounds Alarm on Russia-Based Hacking Group

A Russia-based hacking group named Cold River is behind an expansive and ongoing information-gathering campaign that has struck various targets in government, politics, academia, defense, journalism, and activism, Britain said on Thursday. In an advisory, the National Cyber Security Centre …

UK Cyber Agency Warns Organizations About Use of Russian Computer Technology

Britain’s cybersecurity center on Tuesday said organizations providing services related to Ukraine or critical infrastructure should reconsider the risk associated with using Russian computer technology in their supply chains. “We have no evidence that the Russian state intends to suborn …

Ransomware Is Key Online Threat Facing UK, Says Cyber Security Chief

Professional criminals holding businesses to ransom — often with the support of nation-states — is the key online threat facing the UK, the country’s cyber security chief will say Monday. Lindy Cameron, who is chief executive of the National Cyber …

UK Sees Surge in Cyber Scams Using Bogus Websites in 2020

Criminals launched more websites to trick people into giving up data, downloading malware and sending them money during 2020, taking advantage of pandemic lockdown by pretending to be celebrities, shops and government agencies. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre took …

UK Cyber Authority Urges Organizations to Install Microsoft Updates

LONDON – Britain’s cyber security body urged organizations to install the latest Microsoft updates as a matter of urgency on Friday, after the company became aware of flaws that make email servers vulnerable. “We are working closely with industry and …

Ex-Security Chief Martin Urges UK to Outlaw Cyber Ransoms

Ciaran Martin, who stepped down as head of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre this month, will call on Boris Johnson’s government to make it illegal for companies to pay cyber hackers a ransom. “If I had one policy card …