UK Says Government at High Risk of ‘Catastrophic’ Cyberattack

The UK is at high risk of a “catastrophic” ransomware attack that could bring critical national infrastructure to a standstill and cost the country tens of billions of pounds, according to a parliamentary report.

Departments responsible for national infrastructure across the government are running outdated systems that put them in danger of a breach, said the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, or JCNSS. The committee, led by Labour politician Margaret Beckett, accused the government of failing to invest in protections ahead of the upcoming general election.

Margaret Beckett

Photographer: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

“If the UK is to avoid being held hostage to ...