Relentless Cyberattacks Could Indicate Escalation Towards World War Three, Warn Experts
In the wake of a cyberattack on a Scottish nuclear base, experts are sounding the alarm that these relentless cyberattacks could be a precursor to a global conflict, potentially resembling World War Three. HMNB Clyde, which houses the UK’s nuclear weapons, is believed to have been targeted by hackers linked to Russia. It is reported that these hackers managed to obtain sensitive information about critical sites, including the Porton Down chemical weapons lab and a GCHQ listening post.
The private security firm Zaun was targeted by the hacking group LockBit, suspected to have connections to Russian nationals, resulting in the leaking of a large volume of information on the dark web. Kevin Curran, a cyber security expert and professor at Ulster University, has labeled this attack as a serious matter, especially considering the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. He suggested that the attack was likely sponsored by the Russian state due to the nature of its target, highlighting the relentless cyber attacks by enemies of Britain.
Professor Curran also expressed concern about the lack of preparedness in dealing with such threats. He emphasized that third-party firms holding data on the UK’s military infrastructure are not being adequately regulated. He stressed that relying solely on third-party suppliers to adhere to cybersecurity regulations is a significant risk, and there is a need for industry best practices to be enforced. With everything increasingly interconnected online, cybercrime has become one of the world’s most significant challenges.
These repeated cyberattacks are raising concerns about a potential outbreak of World War Three. The attackers consistently exploit vulnerabilities in cyber-security as their primary way of infiltrating countries. This poses a severe threat to national security. While the government has so far refrained from commenting on the matter, Labour MP Kevan Jones, a member of the Commons Defence Select Committee, has urged the government to address why Zaun’s computer systems were so susceptible to this breach. Jones emphasized that any leaked information pertaining to security arrangements could be highly damaging, particularly for sensitive sites.
In response to the cyberattack, Zaun has stated that they took all necessary precautions to mitigate such attacks on their systems. They have reported the breach to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Zaun explained that the breach occurred through a rogue Windows 7 PC running software for one of their manufacturing machines. The company believed that their cyber-security software was effective in preventing data transfer during the attack. However, they have now confirmed that LockBit managed to download around 10 GB of data, which represents only 0.74% of their stored data.
Zaun is a renowned specialist in high-security perimeter fencing, and its products have been utilized in numerous high-profile sites, including prisons, military bases, and utilities. The breach has raised significant concerns about the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data.
The current landscape of relentless cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure has led experts to warn that the world teeters on the brink of a potential global conflict. These attacks serve as a stark reminder that cybersecurity threats are at an all-time high, and the nation must stay vigilant and take proactive steps to defend against them.
