Executive Summary

The UK faces an escalating cyber threat landscape dominated by sophisticated Russian actors, including state-affiliated groups like Sandworm and APT29, as well as privateer entities operating with Kremlin leniency. These threats have intensified amid geopolitical tensions, targeting critical infrastructure, governmental and defense organizations, and supply chains. Notable campaigns include espionage via spear-phishing, destructive malware like Whispergate, and supply chain compromises, such as SolarWinds. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has responded by collaborating with international partners to mitigate over 430 incidents in 2024 alone, reflecting a sharp increase in frequency and severity. Despite these efforts, cyber risks are underestimated, with attackers exploiting systemic vulnerabilities to maximize disruption. Enhanced resilience and coordinated defense measures are crucial to counter these persistent and evolving threats.