Days after the UK government urged households to keep a three-day supply of essential items, a new warning has emerged about a threat that could disrupt the country's critical infrastructure. Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has said the country should prepare for an AI-powered cyberattack targeting essential services within the next two years.In its annual report, the NCSC said it was highly likely that Britain's critical infrastructure would face a ransomware attack involving AI-powered malware by 2028. It also warned that hostile actors could use artificial intelligence to increase the scale and efficiency of their operations over the same period.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/gravitas/putin-unleashes-glide-bomb-terror-on-ukraine-russia-s-key-oil-refinery-hit-by-drone-barrage-gravitas-1793726346624">Putin unleashes glide bomb terror on Ukraine, Russia's key oil refinery hit by drone barrage | Gravitas</a><h2>UK organisations warned of growing cyber threat</h2>NCSC Chief Executive Richard Horne said too many organisations and supply chains in Britain had relied on cheap technology for decades, leaving them exposed to cyber threats.He warned that the country could face an unprecedented increase in cyber incidents, attributing the risk to long-standing vulnerabilities that had not been addressed."We must be clear, that is not because AI has invented new ways to attack us. It is because vulnerabilities that have been tolerated for far too long &nbsp;can now be discovered and exploited, at a scale and pace that was once unimaginable," Horne said.<h2>China, Russia and Iran identified as cyber threats</h2>Speaking about the potential sources of cyber threats, Horne said China was best equipped to carry out such operations. "And we know that China highly likely has the intent and is best positioned to use AI for operations against our critical national infrastructure and other strategic targets, with their activity representing the most sophisticated and sustained cyber challenge the UK faces."He also said Russia was making sustained attempts to penetrate the UK's military networks, while Iran was conducting malicious cyber operations around the world, including against the UK and individuals it considered threats.Moscow, Beijing and Tehran have repeatedly denied similar accusations in the past.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/gravitas/scam-centres-expand-into-madagascar-after-crackdown-in-cambodia-gravitas-1793640493388">Scam centres expand into Madagascar after crackdown in Cambodia | Gravitas</a><h2>Major cyberattacks that have hit critical infrastructure</h2>The warning comes against the backdrop of several major cyberattacks that have targeted countries and critical infrastructure over the years.In 1988, the Morris worm became the first computer worm to spread across the internet. In 2010, the US-Israeli cyber weapon Stuxnet targeted Iran's nuclear programme.In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack and the destructive NotPetya malware struck hospitals, banks and shipping ports around the world.In 2020, the SolarWinds supply chain hack compromised updates to the company's Orion software, allowing attackers to infiltrate numerous US federal agencies and major technology companies.A year later, the Colonial Pipeline attack by the DarkSide syndicate forced the shutdown of a major US fuel pipeline.<h2>Warning follows cyberattacks on European supermarkets</h2>The NCSC report comes after hacking attacks on supermarkets across Europe exposed weaknesses in their IT systems.Horne said organisations needed to act urgently to address their vulnerabilities, warning that failing to make the right decisions despite the available warnings could have serious consequences.

Britain's National Cyber Security Centre has warned that an AI-powered ransomware attack could target critical infrastructure by 2028. The warning comes amid concerns over outdated technology, hostile state actors and growing cyber vulnerabilities. Here's all you need to know.

Days after the UK government urged households to keep a three-day supply of essential items, a new warning has emerged about a threat that could disrupt the country's critical infrastructure. Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has said the country should prepare for an AI-powered cyberattack targeting essential services within the next two years. In its annual report, the NCSC said it was highly likely that Britain's critical infrastructure would face a ransomware attack involving AI-powered malware by 2028. It also warned that hostile actors could use artificial intelligence to increase the scale and efficiency of their operations over the same period. Also read | Putin unleashes glide bomb terror on Ukraine, Russia's key oil refinery hit by drone barrage | Gravitas UK organisations warned of growing cyber threat NCSC Chief Executive Richard Horne said too many organisations and supply chains in Britain had relied on cheap technology for decades, leaving them exposed to cyber threats. He warned that the country could face an unprecedented increase in cyber incidents, attributing the risk to long-standing vulnerabilities that had not been addressed. "We must be clear, that is not because AI has invented new ways to attack us. It is because vulnerabilities that have been tolerated for far too long can now be discovered and exploited, at a scale and pace that was once unimaginable," Horne said. China, Russia and Iran identified as cyber threats Speaking about the potential sources of cyber threats, Horne said China was best equipped to carry out such operations. "And we know that China highly likely has the intent and is best positioned to use AI for operations against our critical national infrastructure and other strategic targets, with their activity representing the most sophisticated and sustained cyber challenge the UK faces." He also said Russia was making sustained attempts to penetrate the UK's military networks, while Iran was conducting malicious cyber operations around the world, including against the UK and individuals it considered threats. Moscow, Beijing and Tehran have repeatedly denied similar accusations in the past. Also read | Scam centres expand into Madagascar after crackdown in Cambodia | Gravitas Major cyberattacks that have hit critical infrastructure The warning comes against the backdrop of several major cyberattacks that have targeted countries and critical infrastructure over the years. In 1988, the Morris worm became the first computer worm to spread across the internet. In 2010, the US-Israeli cyber weapon Stuxnet targeted Iran's nuclear programme. In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack and the destructive NotPetya malware struck hospitals, banks and shipping ports around the world. In 2020, the SolarWinds supply chain hack compromised updates to the company's Orion software, allowing attackers to infiltrate numerous US federal agencies and major technology companies. A year later, the Colonial Pipeline attack by the DarkSide syndicate forced the shutdown of a major US fuel pipeline. Warning follows cyberattacks on European supermarkets The NCSC report comes after hacking attacks on supermarkets across Europe exposed weaknesses in their IT systems. Horne said organisations needed to act urgently to address their vulnerabilities, warning that failing to make the right decisions despite the available warnings could have serious consequences.

Britain's National Cyber Security Centre has warned that an AI-powered ransomware attack could target critical infrastructure by 2028. The warning comes amid concerns over outdated technology, hostile state actors and growing cyber vulnerabilities. Here's all you need to know.

Britain's doomsday warning: AI hackers could knock out UK power, water by 2028, cyber agency warns | Gravitas

Britain's cyber chief on Tuesday warned that United Kingdom will most likely encounter artificial intelligence cyberattacks on its critical infrastructure by 2028 as countries like China and Russia are exceedingly using AI in their cyber activity.&nbsp;The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) chief Richard Horne while making the claims said the attack will largely focus on critical national infrastructure [CNI] that covers a wide range of facilities and services like energy, transport, defence, food, health and finance.&nbsp;Horne in his speech marking the publication of the NCSC's annual cyber report further said that leaders of businesses and organisations of all sizes will have to invest in cybersecurity or update out-of-date technology to meet future challenges.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/teen-held-in-spirit-halloween-shooting-that-killed-pregnant-woman-wounded-six-1793684729320">Teen held in California Spirit Halloween shooting that killed pregnant woman, wounded six</a>&nbsp;He highlighted how Chinese cyber activity is the “most sophisticated and sustained cyber challenge facing the U.K.” Horne also said that Russia is already conducting cyber campaigns which fall below the threshold of armed conflict and Iran is carrying out attacks against the UK and targeting individuals who they perceive as a threat to their country.&nbsp;According to Horne, AI will enhance the ransomware threat by helping attackers with tasks such as scouting targets, locating weaknesses in IT networks and writing malicious code.&nbsp;According to UK and EU member states, Russia's FSB security service was behind an attack on Poland's energy grid in December 2025, however they failed else 500,000 people could have lost electricity during winter.&nbsp;While malicious cyber activity in the UK is costing organisations almost $20 billion every year, according to NCSC.&nbsp;In 2025, carmaker Jaguar Land Rover lost over $260 million following a cyberattack which also impacted suppliers and hurt the UK economy.&nbsp;“We need every organization in the UK to take action now. Not only to protect their customers, services and livelihoods, but because cybersecurity is now part of the front line defense of our nation,” said Anne Keast-Butler, director of GCHQ, Britain’s signals intelligence agency, which the NCSC is part of.&nbsp;

Horne, Britain's cyber chief in his speech marking the publication of the NCSC's annual cyber said that leaders of businesses and organisations of all sizes will have to invest in cybersecurity or update out-of-date technology to meet future challenges.

Britain's cyber chief on Tuesday warned that United Kingdom will most likely encounter artificial intelligence cyberattacks on its critical infrastructure by 2028 as countries like China and Russia are exceedingly using AI in their cyber activity. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) chief Richard Horne while making the claims said the attack will largely focus on critical national infrastructure [CNI] that covers a wide range of facilities and services like energy, transport, defence, food, health and finance. Horne in his speech marking the publication of the NCSC's annual cyber report further said that leaders of businesses and organisations of all sizes will have to invest in cybersecurity or update out-of-date technology to meet future challenges. ALSO READ: Teen held in California Spirit Halloween shooting that killed pregnant woman, wounded six He highlighted how Chinese cyber activity is the “most sophisticated and sustained cyber challenge facing the U.K.” Horne also said that Russia is already conducting cyber campaigns which fall below the threshold of armed conflict and Iran is carrying out attacks against the UK and targeting individuals who they perceive as a threat to their country. According to Horne, AI will enhance the ransomware threat by helping attackers with tasks such as scouting targets, locating weaknesses in IT networks and writing malicious code. According to UK and EU member states, Russia's FSB security service was behind an attack on Poland's energy grid in December 2025, however they failed else 500,000 people could have lost electricity during winter. While malicious cyber activity in the UK is costing organisations almost $20 billion every year, according to NCSC. In 2025, carmaker Jaguar Land Rover lost over $260 million following a cyberattack which also impacted suppliers and hurt the UK economy. “We need every organization in the UK to take action now. Not only to protect their customers, services and livelihoods, but because cybersecurity is now part of the front line defense of our nation,” said Anne Keast-Butler, director of GCHQ, Britain’s signals intelligence agency, which the NCSC is part of.

Horne, Britain's cyber chief in his speech marking the publication of the NCSC's annual cyber said that leaders of businesses and organisations of all sizes will have to invest in cybersecurity or update out-of-date technology to meet future challenges.

UK will encounter AI cyberattacks on critical infrastructure by 2028, says cyber chief

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Britain's doomsday warning: AI hackers could knock out UK power, water by 2028, cyber agency warns | Gravitas

UK will encounter AI cyberattacks on vital infrastructure by 2028: Cyber chief