Russia launching 'relentless' cyber attacks on UK and Europe, top spymaster to warn

GCHQ’s director Anne Keast-Butler will deliver the agency’s inaugural annual lecture on Wednesday, warning that Russia is conducting 'relentless' cyber attacks against the UK and Europe. She will emphasize that Russian operations are targeting critical infrastructure, democratic processes, supply chains, and public trust, while also disrupting efforts to smuggle western technology and countering sabotage attempts. Keast-Butler will stress the urgency of cybersecurity, urging businesses and the public to adopt measures like switching passwords to passkeys and embedding security into new technologies. She will highlight a 'narrowing window' for the UK and its allies to stay ahead of rapidly advancing threats, including Russia’s battlefield setbacks in Ukraine and China’s growing capabilities in AI, intelligence, and cyber warfare. Earlier this year, Dr Richard Horne, head of the National Cyber Security Centre (part of GCHQ), reported that hostile states—including Russia, China, and Iran—conduct around four major cyber attacks on the UK weekly. He warned businesses to prepare for large-scale attacks, emphasizing that reliance on ransom payments could leave them vulnerable if the UK becomes involved in international conflicts. The lecture will also call for collaboration between the tech industry and national security experts to accelerate advancements in cybersecurity. Keast-Butler will urge a collective response to mitigate risks, framing the challenge as one requiring immediate action 'from boardrooms to living rooms.'