UK warned of empty supermarket shelves and power blackouts as cyber attack threat grows
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Britain's cyber security chief has warned that attacks could leave supermarket shelves empty and homes without electricity. The warning comes as the Government urges households to prepare for three days of disruption.
Britain could face empty supermarket shelves and power blackouts unless businesses take urgent action against cyber attacks, the country's top cyber security official has warned.
Dr Richard Horne, chief executive of GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), says the UK faces a moment of "enormous consequence" as artificial intelligence makes it easier for hackers to attack essential services.
He also confirmed that vulnerable technology had been exploited in a small number of UK incidents following cyber attacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems across Europe.
The warning follows the Government's launch of a three-day emergency preparedness campaign, encouraging households to keep supplies including food, drinking water, torches, power banks and wind-up radios.
Cyber chief warns of blackouts and empty shelves
Launching the NCSC's annual report on Tuesday, November 3, Dr Horne warned that Britain had spent decades relying on outdated technology and postponing essential security upgrades.
He said AI could help hackers identify and exploit weaknesses on a much larger scale, potentially disrupting electricity, water supplies, manufacturing and food distribution.
"When food isn't on shelves, lights aren't on, businesses have gone under, we may have to explain that we saw the warning signs, understood the risks and still didn't make the right choices," he said.
The NCSC believes ransomware criminals are highly likely to use AI in attacks by 2028, while hostile states including Russia and China are expected to increasingly exploit the technology.
"For decades, we have collectively got away with doing tech on the cheap," Dr Horne said.
Supermarket systems already targeted
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Dr Horne confirmed British organisations had been warned about vulnerable systems following cyber attacks on supermarket refrigeration equipment in Europe.
"We've been working through the night, alerting organisations where we can see they've got exposed technology that's vulnerable in this way," he said.
He confirmed there had been "a couple of instances" of vulnerable technology being exploited in the UK, although the full impact remains unclear.
Asked whether the incidents reinforced Government warnings that households should stockpile essential supplies, he replied: "Absolutely."
The NCSC received 1,831 reports of cyber attacks over the past year, including 80 incidents classed as nationally significant.
What households are being told to prepare for
The Government's 'Be Ready' campaign, launched on October 22, recommends keeping enough essential supplies to cope with 72 hours of disruption to electricity, water or communications.
Its checklist includes non-perishable food, drinking water, medication, a torch, a charged power bank and a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio.
A wind-up radio could help households receive news updates if a blackout leaves televisions and broadband routers unusable or mobile networks disrupted.
Options include the £29.99 Ryichi emergency radio, recently reviewed by NationalWorld, which features solar charging, a torch and limited phone-charging capability. The Ryichi is available on Amazon, while the more traditional Roberts R9957S costs £59.99 directly from the manufacturer.
The Government's advice is intended to help households manage emergencies rather than suggest a nationwide blackout is imminent. People are encouraged to check existing supplies and gradually add anything missing.