Cyber Attack Protection Is As Important As Fighting Terrorism

Protecting the UK from cyber attacks is just as important as fighting terrorism, according to the director of GCHQ.

Jeremy Flemming said that the UK's enemies are constantly finding new ways to threaten to nations security due to the speed of technological advances.

In an article he wrote for the Telegraph he said:

"If GCHQ is to continue to help keep the country safe, then protecting the digital homeland - keeping our citizens safe and free online - must become and remain as much part of our mission as our global intelligence reach and our round-the-clock efforts against terrorism."

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre, which was set up last year, has responded to nearly 600 'significant' cyber attacks which required a national response.

Among these attacks were the WannaCry or Wanna Decryptor ransomware, which downed systems across the globe including the NHS in May, as well as an attack on Parliament in June which compromised up to 90 email accounts.

Mr Flemming said that the NCSC now has a world-leading programme to reduce these incidences.