The UK must be on alert for potential cyber attacks from countries such as China, government ministers have said as tensions between London and Beijing rise.
Last month, relations between the UK and China soured after
Boris Johnson pledged to offer asylum to millions of Hong Kong if the country implemented a planned national security law. The government has reportedly “changed its view” on plans for Chinese technology Huawei to play a role in the UK’s 5G network rollout due to growing concerns about security.
Now senior sources claim that Britain could be targeted by Chinese hackers in a so-called “cyber 9/11.” This could damage computer networks, cause power and telephone outages, and bring hospitals, government and businesses.
Britain's National Cyber Security Centre says it does not "expect" an increase in attacks. However, a senior minister said the threat was "obviously part of the discussions" but added that "all risks need to be considered".
They told the Dailymail on Sunday: “Huawei is a threat and does not act to compromise national security. Actions, however, have consequences and cannot be ruled out.” Security Minister Conor McGinn also stressed that the UK should be “alert to the risk of cyber attacks from hostile states” especially as we are in a period of heightened tensions.
He added: “Our national infrastructure must be ready and capable of repelling any such attack on the UK.” Alan Mendoza, who said China is “far from being a good friend” and said the UK’s urgent priority is to make critical systems “China-resilient.”.
In June, Australia revealed it had faced major cyberattacks from what Prime Minister Scott Morrison described as a “malicious” and “sophisticated” state-sponsored hacker. He went on to say that the attack targeted “government, industries, political organizations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure.”
The Australian government has not publicly named China as responsible, but officials appear to have concluded that the attack may be linked to tensions with Beijing. China has repeatedly denied any involvement.
