China’s Growing Cyber Threat ‘Dangerous for All’: U.K. Cyber Chief

The head of the British government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has raised alarm over China’s increasing cyber capabilities, calling them a global threat. In a recent interview, Felicity Oswald, COO and interim CEO of the NCSC, highlighted concerns over China’s evolving approach to cyber operations, which poses significant risks to national security and businesses worldwide.

Oswald emphasized that China, along with North Korea, represents one of the most worrisome cybersecurity threats. “Chinese actors’ approach in cyberspace over the last 18 months should worry us all,” she stated, referencing incidents like Volt Typhoon, where China allegedly pre-positioned itself within critical U.S. infrastructure, likened by U.S. counterparts to domestic terrorism.

The proliferation of cyber threats is also a growing concern, with various nation-states, including China and Russia, exploiting malware and cyber tools. Oswald warned, “We’re worried about the proliferation of cyber challenges, which allow any country to purchase cyber, malware, or other challenges to hit us or businesses in our countries.”

In light of these threats, the NCSC has been proactive in mitigating risks through measures such as their takedown service, which has removed over 2 million malicious websites. Oswald stressed the importance of collaboration across government agencies and the private sector to bolster national cyber defenses.

The issue of cybersecurity is particularly pressing for nations like Japan, which critics say lag behind in cyber measures. While not directly commenting on Japan’s specific vulnerabilities, Oswald noted the complexity of modern cyber threats and the need for international cooperation to address them.

Moreover, the NCSC is focused on developing human resources in cybersecurity, starting from a young age. The U.K. has implemented programs to encourage interest in cybersecurity among schoolchildren, aiming to build a robust pipeline of future cyber professionals.

Oswald’s remarks come at a time when the U.K. and its allies are increasingly vigilant about the cyber activities of nation-states like China and North Korea. The NCSC continues to work closely with international partners to share insights and strategies to counter these threats.

The growing cyber threat from China underscores the urgent need for nations to strengthen their cyber defenses and collaborate on a global scale to ensure security and resilience against malicious cyber activities.