UK businesses have been warned by the government to redouble their cybersecurity efforts – as experts warn of increased Iran-adjacent attacks following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
Cybersecurity researchers shared with Sky News details of an increase in action from online actors promoting Tehran taking aim at UK-based organisations, along with American and Israeli targets.
Analysis from cybersecurity firm EclecticIQ noted a “significant uptick” in cyberattacks since the start of the Israel-Iran conflict started around a fortnight ago.
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The company said this included evidence of “growing collaborations between pro-Iranian and pro-Russian hacktivist groups”.
Speaking at a NATO summit today, Prime Minister Sir Keir said the likes of Iran and Russia were carrying out cyberattacks “on a regular basis” – adding that the UK had “to be prepared for them”.
The prime minister added that cyberattacks should be considered “an attack on our country”.
In response to the increase in attacks, a government spokesperson told Sky News: “UK businesses face a growing number of threats from domestic and foreign cyber criminals who are intent on disrupting not only their operations, but our wider digital economy.
“While some companies are already taking steps to better protect themselves, it is vital that – regardless of size or sector – they all take immediate steps to review and strengthen their defences.”
Among the attacks seen recently were distributed denial of service – DDoS – attacks against British companies, including those in the defence sector.
This involves trying to flood a company’s computer networks with traffic in a bid to make it crash.
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