The Russian government is prepared to launch cyber-attacks on the UK’s energy systems to undermine backing for Ukraine, a top government official is expected to announce today.
Pat McFadden, who oversees national security as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is scheduled to address a NATO gathering today, stating that the Russian state might aim at British companies, potentially leaving a large number of people without electricity.
During his address at the NATO Cyber Defense Conference at Lancaster House in London, McFadden will caution that “cyber war can be destabilising and debilitating” and characterise the Russian government as “exceptionally aggressive and reckless” in this domain.
He will emphasise the danger posed by Russia’s ability to disrupt power supplies and blackout millions, as well as its readiness to target British businesses “in pursuit of its malign goals”.
He will tell Nato allies: “”Given the scale of that hostility, my message to members today is clear: no-one should underestimate the Russian cyber threat to Nato. The threat is real.”
In the UK over the past few weeks, there have been a number of cyber-attacks on local governments, some of which have been attributed to a pro-Russian hacking group.
