NCSC Report: U.K. neutralized over 600 cyber attacks this year

NCSC Report: U.K. has neutralized more than 600 cyber attacks this year, most of them launched by threat actors from overseas

The National Cyber Security Centre announced that the U.K. has neutralized more than 600 cyber attacks this year, most of them launched by threat actors from overseas.

Hackers from overseas, many of which are nation-state actors, targeted government departments.

“The NCSC is the lead government organisation for managing cyber incidents and has led on 658 incidents in the last year, providing support to almost 900 victim organisations, handling almost 1,800 incidents since commencing operations.” reads the annual NCSC report.

“A significant number of incidents continue to come from hostile nation states”

The National Cyber Security Centre revealed that it arranges meeting with political parties every three months to gives them cyber security advice to members of Parliament The NCSC also provides political parties guidance on electoral fraud.

According to the report of the NCSC, most of the attacks targeted government, universities, information technology, health care and transport.

The UK NCSC has also warned 56 banks that crooks were using cloned cards to steal funds from their customers.

“Banks swiftly put defensive measures in place that protect them against financial loss and reputational damage.” continues the report. “Most recently, the NCSC alerted 56 banks to a specific ATM cash-out threat after receiving actionable information.”

“As a result, the banks were able to block any attempt by the attackers to fraudulently withdraw money from customer accounts.”

The report also provides information about the most hacked passwords used by indivisuals, such as “123456,” confirming that bad habits continue to expose organizations to the risk of hack.

The report warns that Russia, China, Iran and North Korea continue to pose strategic national security threats to the UK.

“From handling more than 600 incidents – many from hostile nation states – to equipping the public with the tools they need to stay safe online, we are employing our expertise on a number of fronts.” states the NCSC Chief Executive Ciaran Martin.

“I am proud to lead this organisation and optimistic that, in a constantly evolving landscape, we can help make this the safest country to live and work online.”

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – NCSC report, hacking)

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