Vladimir Putin is ready to inflict a series of cyber attacks on the UK which could “turn out the lights for millions”, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden will announce at Monday’s Nato conference.
McFadden is expected to add that Russia is able to trigger a “destabilising and debilitating” strike on Britain.
The senior Cabinet Minister – who reviews national security policy and state threats – will warn that the Kremlin is “exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm” and is seeking to acquire a “strategic advantage and degrade the states that support Ukraine”.
Such a cyber attack risks severe impact upon the nation’s infrastructure and business, with a high chance of it “shut[ting] down the power grids” and wreaking havoc on the UK economy.
Pat McFadden will issue a warning against Russian cyber criminals and “hacktivists”
REUTERS/PA
When the minister addresses the cyber defence conference, he will describe that, in the past year, the Russian military along with its “unofficial army of cyber criminals and hacktivists” have “not just stepped up their attacks, but widened their targets to a number of Nato members and partners”.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will say: “In the UK, Russia has targeted our media, our telecoms, our political and democratic institutions and our energy infrastructure.
“Military hard power is one thing. But cyber war can be destabilising and debilitating. With a cyber attack, Russia can turn the lights off for millions of people.
“It can shut down the power grids. This is the hidden war Russia is waging with Ukraine.”
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