(Commonwealth_Europe) – The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is set to intensify both the frequency and complexity of cyberattacks targeting the United Kingdom, according to Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden. Speaking at the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) annual Cyber UK 2025 conference, McFadden warned that as AI technology becomes more sophisticated, it is being harnessed by malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities at an unprecedented scale.
Recently, UK businesses, public institutions, and other key sectors have faced an alarming surge in cyber intrusions, resulting in substantial financial damage and prolonged operational disruptions. Although affected entities have remained tight-lipped about the specific tactics used in these breaches, it is clear that the consequences have been severe. McFadden revealed that the government is releasing newly declassified intelligence that highlights the growing cyber threat posed by AI. “The intelligence assessment we are sharing today confirms our fears — AI is accelerating the scale and depth of cyberattacks. We cannot afford to let our guard down,” he said.
He emphasized the need for national cybersecurity systems to evolve in tandem with the tools and strategies employed by cybercriminals. “Our defenses must advance at the same pace as the threats we face from adversaries exploiting new technologies,” McFadden added. During his address, McFadden disclosed that the NCSC received nearly 2,000 incident reports last year, with close to 90 incidents classified as “significant” and 12 categorized as “extremely severe”—a” sharp increase compared to the previous year. This tripling of major attacks underscores the scale of the challenge ahead.
He pointed to recent cyberattacks on major UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer (M&S) and the Co-operative Group, reportedly victims of ransomware campaigns where attackers lock down company data and demand payment to restore access. McFadden described these events as a stark warning, emphasizing that cybersecurity is not optional but essential. To strengthen national defenses, the UK government is set to unveil a revamped cybersecurity strategy later this year. In addition, the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aims to empower authorities with new regulatory tools, enabling them to compel critical organizations to bolster their digital protections.
NCSC Chief Executive Richard Horne also addressed the conference, calling for a future where ransom payments are no longer considered viable options. “We need to disrupt the profitability of cybercrime,” Horne said, advocating for a systemic shift that removes the financial incentive from these malicious operations. As cyberthreats evolve alongside AI, both officials stressed the importance of collaborative resilience — between government, the private sector, and society as a whole — in defending against the next generation of digital attacks.
