Philip Hammond accuses Russia of taking down TV network and electricity companies with cyber attacks
The accusation is the most direct one yet from the UK government on the Kremlin for the growing cyber mayhem
PHILIP Hammond has accused Russia of taking down an entire TV network as well as electricity companies with devastating cyber attacks.
Without fully naming President Putin’s country, the Chancellor made it clear that the Kremlin were behind the two major assaults last year.
The accusation is the most direct one yet from the UK government on the Kremlin for the growing cyber mayhem it is causing.
In a major speech to warn on the spiralling threat from online attacks yesterday, Mr Hammond said: “TV5 Monde witnessed a total shutdown of all its TV channels last year – because of an attack purportedly from a terrorist group, but which some security companies have ascribed to a state with a record of other recent high profile attacks.”
Making it clear he blamed Russia, which has a long track record of cyber attacks, Mr Hammond added sarcastically: “Answers on a postcard to No10 Downing Street please”.
The Treasury boss went on: “In Ukraine, two electricity companies suffered a major power outage, with blackouts for several hours due to the first known cyber-attack on an electricity network, suspect probably the same”.
Mr Hammond also predicted Britain’s next war against another country would begin via a barrage of cyber attacks.
Attempts to would be made “to break down our defences and test our resolve”, he said.
Electronic spy agency GCHQ stands ready to “strike back in kind” on anyone who targets us, the Chancellor also promised.
Mr Hammond said: “The ability to detect, trace and retaliate in kind is likely to be the best deterrent.
“If we do not have the ability to respond in cyberspace to an attack which takes down our power networks leaving us in darkness, or hits our air traffic control system, grounding our planes, we would be left with the impossible choice of turning the other cheek and ignoring the devastating consequences, or resorting to a military response.
“That is a choice that we do not want to face.”
It came as the Chancellor spelled out how the government is spending £1.9bn on boosting our cyber defences.
He was backed by Dr Andrew Foxall of the Henry Jackson Society think tank.
Cyber expert Dr Foxall said: “Russia is a revisionist power, and is aggressively pursuing its approach through various means, including cyberwarfare.
“Today’s announcement by the Chancellor is a welcome recognition by the Government of the very serious threat posed by Russia to the UK in the cyber domain.”