Britain’s military communication networks have faced over six million cybersecurity incidents since 2022, amidst escalating conflicts in Europe and the Far East. Furthermore, the head of the UK’s Strategic Command highlights the cybersecurity challenges posed by hostile states like Russia, Iran, and China. The threat landscape has evolved significantly, with cyber warfare becoming a critical battleground. Consequently, this necessitates enhanced defensive measures to safeguard national security. According to the UK National Cyber Security Centre, cyber-attacks, especially ransomware incidents, will increase soon because of advancements in AI. Moreover, they also assert that organisations are likely to realise the most sophisticated uses of AI after 2025.

Key Judgement 1. State-sponsored and criminal cyber operations will likely intensify cybersecurity-related incidents against Britain’s military infrastructure in the next 12 months.

Key Judgement 2. In the next 12 months, cyber operations will likely target civilians, elections, media, and local government, both by criminals and state actors.

Key Judgement 3. Britain will likely pursue proactive measures to safeguard the cybersecurity of military networks in the next 12 months.