Ransomware threatens UK infrastructure

62% of cyber leaders in UK critical national infrastructure (CNI) organisations do not have a decision-making plan in place on whether to pay the ransom, despite rising ransomware attacks on CNI, according to new research by UK cyber security services firm Bridewell.

The research, which surveyed 521 cyber security decision makers in the communications, utilities, finance, government and transport and aviation sectors, reveals nearly eight-in-ten (79%) of cyber leaders in UK CNI organisations believe ransomware will significantly disrupt their operations in the next 12 months. Yet less than half have implemented critical measures to help prevent, detect, respond, and recover from ransomware.

According to the research, only 36% have a security information and event management (SIEM) platform that can help to detect a ransomware attack before the attacker completes their objective. Likewise, only 43% say they have implemented technical controls to prevent unauthorised access and stop key directories and files being deleted, overwritten or encrypted.

Gavin Knapp, Cyber Defence Technical Lead at Bridewell says: “All critical infrastructure organisations must be prepared to suffer a ransomware attack and have tailored response plans in place to deal with actors targeting both IT and OT operations. This should encompass third parties and remote access into the OT environment.

“Failure to prepare can result in the loss of IP, interruption to operations, and significant financial and reputational damage. It also often leaves organisations with no choice but to pay the ransom, which aside from being illegal in some countries, only further fuels the crisis.”

Threat groups and actors continue to see significant financial opportunities in the initial access broker and ransomware space, with modern day malware and intrusion frameworks increasingly adopting automated approaches to streamline and improve how they perform attacks. Bridewell is also seeing a significant reduction in the time between vulnerability disclosure and the weaponisation of ransomware, as well as a rise of ransomcloud attacks targeting weaknesses or legitimate functionality in cloud resources.

Yet the research found that only 46% are using cloud storage services with in-built ransomware protection, while just 42% have deployed a cloud access security broker. Concerningly, 84% say they have suffered at least one ransomware attack in the past 12 months, and 4 in 10 have suffered more than 5 attacks – an average of one every other month.

For more news updates, check out our May issue here.

Media contact 

Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, 

Editor, Security Portfolio 

Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Graphic displaying a lockdown solution

Netgenium debuts next gen display and touchscreen technologies

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) solutions specialist Netgenium will be showcasing its new range of IP…

ICT® Launches New TSL Access Reader Series

Integrated Control Technology (ICT®), a leading manufacturer of intelligent access control and…
Image Provided by Paxton

Paxton Partners with Skills for Security

The security technology manufacturer Paxton is proud to announce a partnership with Skills for Security…
Image Provided by ICT

ICT and Ingram Micro sign distribution agreement MEA

Integrated Control Technology (ICT), award-winning global manufacturer of intelligent electronic access control and security solutions..
Image Provided by Toshiba

Toshiba launches new HDD Innovation Lab

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH (Toshiba) has inaugurated a new HDD Innovation Laboratory (HDD Innovation Lab) at its site in Düsseldorf..
Image Provided by Verkada

Verkada Doubles Down on the Channel with Strategic New Hire

Verkada, a leader in cloud-based physical security, today announced the appointment of Micah Deriso as Head of Global Channel…
Image Provided by IPSA

IPSA Appoint Frontline Hero as Ambassador

Abdullah, the courageous security officer praised for foiling a horrific knife attack at Leicester Square, has been appointed as…
Image Provided by Codelocks

New Surface Latch from Codelocks

Codelocks is expanding its Gate Solutions by Codelocks range with the introduction of the new Codelocks’ Surface Latch…
Image provided by Genetec

Nicholas Smith to Lead Genetec UK and Ireland Operations

Genetec, provider of enterprise physical security software, announced the appointment of Nicholas Smith as its new Regional Sales Director…

News Desk

View all the latest, product, project and people news

News Desk

Click Here

Technology News

Keep up-to-date with the latest product innovation

Technology News

Click Here

Industry Sectors

Discover technology in action in all applications

Industry Sectors

Click Here

Enter The Awards

Showcase personal or organisation excellence

Advertise With Us

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise With Us

Click Here
Scroll to Top