The Growing Threat of Cyber-Attacks: An Urgent Call for Global Collaboration
In a recent address at the Singapore International Cyber Week, the new UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) head, Dr Richard Horne, issued a warning that cyber-threats are advancing at a pace that outstrips our collective ability to defend against them.
Horne highlighted the increasing reliance on technology that has only served to widen the gap between the mounting threats posed to societies, critical services, and businesses, and our capacity to effectively defend and recover from these attacks.
According to Horne, the NCSC has already seen a 50% increase in nationally significant incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year, with severe incidents experiencing a threefold rise. This escalation is further compounded by the ease of entry into cyber-attacks, with capabilities extending beyond traditional nation-states and well-resourced actors, thanks to the proliferation of cybercrime-as-a-service.
“The threat landscape is becoming more intricate, with a surge in significant incidents. To bridge this gap, we urgently need coordinated global efforts to bolster cyber resilience, integrate security into technology from its inception, and equip both public and private sectors to not only defend but also swiftly recover from devastating cyber-attacks,” Horne stressed.
New Leadership, Renewed Focus
Appointed as the NCSC CEO in April 2024, Horne assumes the role after the departure of Lindy Cameron, officially taking over from interim CEO, Felicity Oswald, in October.
A Call to Action
Horne underscored the critical need for global collaboration to address the escalating threat landscape. He cited the recent Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) guidelines, supported by 39 nations and eight international insurance bodies, as a prime example of this collaborative effort.
Furthermore, governments must collaborate with digital product manufacturers and developers to embed sustainable cyber resilience, ensuring the adoption of secure-by-design principles from the outset.
“Today’s innovative technologies will soon become tomorrow’s legacy systems. We must adopt a lifecycle management approach to ensure their ongoing security and resilience,” Horne emphasized.
As the complexity and severity of cyber-attacks continue to rise, it is imperative that we come together as a global community to fortify our defenses, instill security measures at every stage of technology development, and pave the way for a more secure digital future.