Number of major cyber attacks doubled in the past year, GCHQ warns

The UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has warned that the number of major cyber security attacks that threaten national security has doubled in the past year.

According to the GCHQ, 200 major cyber attacks take place every month, compared to just 100 a month in 2014.

The attacks classed as a threat to national security have to pass the threshold of seriousness for the GCHQ, which can include attacks on critical national infrastructure, such as energy and power networks, as well as threats coming from significant sources such as hostile states or organised crime groups.

Ciaran Martin, director general for cyber security at the GCHQ, said: “These are attacks that are of significance to national security.

“That is either because of who the aggressor or the victim is or because of the nature of the attack.”

The GCHQ has said that increase is due in part to increased availability of ‘off the self’ hacking technology.

A new £6.5 million cyber investment programme has been launched by the government and the GCHQ, which will work with academic experts and the private sector to support research into cyber attacks.

Ed Vaisey, minister for culture and the digital economy, said: “Over the last four years we have invested over £20 million in UK cyber security research, and the new cyber invest scheme will play an important role in our ongoing work to help protect UK citizens and businesses online.”