According to the intelligence service GCHQ, virtual threats are considered ‘as serious as terrorism’
After cyber-attacks earlier this year, the officials in UK have decided to increase funds for GCHQ, in order to prevent online threats considered to be imminent.
As Jeremy Fleming stated, more than 600 “significant” cyber-attacks took place during 2016 only.
In this context, the former deputy of MI5, currently the GCHQ director, warned about the country’s enemies, that are able to quickly spot new ways of attacking the nation.
“We see that in the way terrorists are constantly changing their weapons, or states are using their full range of tools to steal secrets, gain influence and attack our economy,” he declared.
According to his official statements, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has currently set up a “world-leading programme to reduce the incidence and impact of cyber-attacks without users even noticing,” in order to ensure the country’s cyber-security.
Earlier this year, cyber-terrorism hit both England and Scotland, disrupting hospitals’ and Parliament’s activities.
The agency’s mission will be to protect the digital environment and keep the citizens free and safe on the internet, while boosting the intelligence efforts against terrorism, in all its forms.
Source: bbc.com
