Cybersecurity

The struggle to keep pace with the rise in cyberattacks

New threats are surging as the cybersecurity skills gap widens, Fortinet’s Richard Woolfrey warns.

How can we keep our society and economy cyber secure?

Britain’s digital defences underpin its economic ambitions, but experts warn the UK is still too reactive. Building true cyber…

Cyber attacks are evolving – so too must government response

Under mounting pressure, government must shift from passive defence to proactive cyber resilience. Fortinet’s Chris Parker MBE explains why…

Resilience starts with design and disclosure

Cybersecurity vendors are key to embedding security across product development and placing responsible disclosure at the core of operations.

The Policy Ask with Helena Wood: “I take a visceral pleasure in tackling fraudsters before breakfast”

The director of public policy at fraud prevention service Cifas on organised crime, economic stability, and keeping people safe…

How to turn the UK into “resilient Britain”

Overhauling central government and following the lead of big business will help us face complex risks.

How to empower your employees to stay cyber secure

A zero-trust approach and user-friendly tech are vital defences against online threats.

The security weak points in your working day

In the shift to remote working, secure web browsers play a key role in keeping data safe.

How governments can keep data secure in a digital age

Cloud can provide resilience and data protection in an evolving security landscape

Is your browser keeping your data safe? – with Chrome Enterprise

A special podcast from Spotlight, the New Statesman’s policy supplement.

Fraud is a growing threat to everyone

Over £1.2bn was lost in online scams last year.

What your organisation needs to combat modern cyber threats

Hybrid working has brought new challenges for securing networks. But investing in good software can ensure businesses are safer…

Hacking democracy: How cyber attacks are undermining trust in voting

Confidence in political systems is being challenged by evolving digital threats. 

Nato’s cybersecurity chief: “We’re always on the back foot in cyber defence”

Ian West, head of Nato’s Cyber Security Centre, on AI, Ukraine and tackling a billion “suspicious events” a day.

The Policy Ask with Owen Pritchard: “I’d ban the public sector paying ransoms to hackers”

The Local Government Association’s cybersecurity lead on Nelson Mandela, serving in the army, and asking for forgiveness rather than…

Defra’s “outmoded” IT systems leave department at risk of cyberattack

Legacy systems could put disease prevention and air quality monitoring at risk, says the Public Accounts Committee.

When the internet goes dark

How states are weaponising digital shutdowns to stifle dissent

China’s plan for anti-satellite cyber weapon found in leaked CIA documents

China’s plan for space involves acquiring valuable intellectual property and developing new tech of their own.

Home Office is making “slow progress” on tackling fraud, says Public Accounts Committee

The UK government has yet to publish its fraud strategy that was promised in November 2022.

This is how GPT-4 will be regulated

Models like GPT-4 could pose a serious challenge to regulators. But US, UK and EU watchdogs’ responses have been…

Lloyd’s of London cyber war exclusion rules come into effect

Lloyd’s of London’s controversial clause has caused consternation for many in the insurance industry as they rush to abide…

The government must move more quickly on AI regulation

We wouldn’t design new cars without road safety laws, so should we expect less for artificial intelligence?

Why CEOs and boards must engage with cyber-risk

At board level, cybersecurity should have the same prominence as financial or legal matters.

TikTok’s CEO testified before the US Congress. It did not go well

Shou Zi Chew struggled to defuse security concerns about TikTok’s Chinese parent company.

Small businesses urged to improve cybersecurity

The National Cyber Security Centre has launched new services to help SMEs stay safe online.

UK launches National Quantum Strategy

Funding, skills and regulation are all included.

UK government bans TikTok on corporate devices

The ByteDance-owned app will only be used on government devices in certain circumstances and will require security clearance.

The Policy Ask with Quinn McKew: “The government must stop its attempt to throw away our human rights”

The freedom of expression campaigner on protecting our liberties, supporting Ukraine and rescuing a colleague in crisis.

Could undersea cables be the next casualty of hybrid warfare?

The UK, Italy and France are investing in infrastructure to protect the internet from Russian aggression.

The Policy Ask with Laura Foster: “Why aren’t we doing everything we can to empower women to thrive?”

The policy lead at TechUK on reforming childcare, quantum technologies and being inspired by Chi Onwurah.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed cybercrime forever, report says

The war has created a new paradigm where cybercriminals and hacktivist groups enjoy state protection.

UK police still relying heavily on Chinese surveillance camera technology

The majority of forces reported using Chinese-made surveillance technology including for ANPR, CCTV and body-worn cameras.

Amazon’s worker surveillance “leads to extreme stress and anxiety”

Academics have warned MPs that the use of connected tech in the workplace needs to be better regulated.

UK government “left council to deal with ransomware attack” that cost £11m

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council says it received minimal support from Westminster to deal with a major cyberattack.

China’s cornered the IoT market – that could be a cybersecurity nightmare

Analysts are worried that the pervasive use of cellular IoT modules made in China constitutes a huge cybersecurity risk…

The legislative battles to watch out for in 2023

UK policymakers and experts reveal the legislation and policy initiatives they have their eye on as parliament returns.

What are the latest amendments to the Online Safety Bill?

43 Tory MPs are backing a plan to make social media bosses face prison if they fail to protect…

How deception can become your friend

Reconnaissance is an essential part of any cybersecurity strategy, and decoys are key.

Key policy moments of 2022

Policymakers and experts on their policy highlight – or lowlight – of the year.

Five ways the metaverse could transform British politics over the next five years

The metaverse will have a profound impact on our daily lives, personally and professionally.

How would a data leak affect your organisation?

Rather than threatening to wipe company data, ransomware attacks are now more likely to involve threats to publish sensitive,…

“Fraud adapts”: How to fix the UK’s online crime problem

The Royal United Services Institute is calling for £250m a year to police cyber-enabled fraud.

Labour: Social media bosses should be held criminally liable for harmful content

The party has called for the scope of the Online Safety Bill to be expanded as it returns to…

Cybercrime is becoming more like a standard business

From subscription services to specialisation and outsourcing, cybercriminals are innovating, and we need to be prepared.

The five key tech areas for the public sector in 2023

How technology service vendors can best serve government and enable resilience amid economic and political turmoil.

The Policy Ask with Patricia Lewis: “Weapons treaties have been destroyed through political posturing”

The director of the international security programme at Chatham House on prohibiting nuclear weapons, preparing for cyberattacks and the…

You wouldn’t give your house keys to anyone, so why do that with your computers?

Zero trust is the foundation of cybersecurity.

The Online Safety Bill will set the foundation for future regulation

It’s time to make this bill law and get on with the job of making online life safer.

The Online Safety Bill will make life harder for victims

The chilling effect of this new legislation will be violation of privacy and infringement of free speech online.

Features and analysis on today’s cybersecurity challenges. With Mike Fell, Patricia Lewis and Lindy Cameron.

Lindy Cameron: Ukraine’s cyber-defences have been exemplary

While Russia’s brutal war has sought to redraw the physical map, its consequences have been felt in cyberspace.

A new day, a new threat vector

Chris Parker MBE, Director of Government Strategy at Fortinet, spoke to Spotlight about the contemporary cyber threat landscape

The Conservatives cannot guarantee the security of their leadership election

Experts say an online poll to elect a head of government, implemented in less than a week, cannot be…

Will Liz Truss really drop Boris Johnson-era policies?

The PM has hinted at a rethink of her predecessor’s policy commitments. As parliament returns, which are at risk?

Some advice for Rishi Sunak as Britain’s new prime minister

As the keys to No 10 are handed over, policy leaders share their thoughts on the biggest issues facing…

Why everyone loses if Westminster passes poor online regulation

Pushing the Online Safety Bill through parliament too quickly will do more harm than good.

Why girls are pressured to share nudes online

Images and videos of girls aged 13 and under make up 95 per cent of self-generated child sexual abuse…

How the war in Ukraine is reshaping the dark web

As the war drags on, cracks are forming in the digital underworld

The best defence against online child abuse isn’t legislation – it’s education

With “self-generated” imagery being a growing problem, the Online Safety Bill urgently needs to include sex education.

How ethical data sourcing is helping to tackle child sexual abuse online

An Australian project shows how AI can make searching for and identifying illegal material a less traumatic process.

Is facial recognition tech in public spaces ever justified?

The food store chain Southern Co-op faces a legal case over its use of surveillance technology.

Why we need a Children’s Online Safety Bill

There is an obvious solution to regulating the internet – put young people first.

Malware: On sale for the price of a pint on dark web

Cyber crime is accessible even to those with only basic IT skills, according to a new report.

In the cyber war between Russia and Ukraine, media companies are under threat

Figures show a large spike in attacks on journalism and civil society organisations since the invasion.

Is the UK’s cyber-space more secure after Boris Johnson?

Recent data shows a country largely unprepared for a more hostile cyber landscape.

The Online Safety Bill has sparked a free speech culture war

As child safety campaigners push for stronger regulation, a growing faction of the Tory party is crying “censorship”.

In south Wales, a crisis is brewing for the next prime minister

The sale of Newport Wafer Fab will be a major test of the government’s commitment to a high-tech industrial…

Home Office’s favourite smartphone snooping firm sees government revenues soar

Micro Systemation’s public sector earnings have already risen fourfold this year.

Will facial recognition regulation escape the Brexit bonfire?

The government wants to “simplify” the rules on biometric surveillance, but the UK is already under-regulating this technology.

To protect abortion rights, don’t let the UK ditch the ECHR

Privacy campaigners warn metadata could put Americans seeking abortions at risk of prosecution. Is Europe any safer?

“Over-criminalising is a concern”: Ministers defend cyber-flashing law

Critics argue the legislation prioritises the offender’s intent over the victim’s consent.

Software is becoming more interdependent, and that’s a big security problem

Recent incidents have highlighted the risks of relying on a growing ecosystem of third-party software packages.

“AI is invisible – that’s part of the problem,” says Wendy Hall

The leading computer scientist and acting chair of the AI Council on challenging perceptions around artificial intelligence.

Almost £13m in data privacy fines have been left unpaid

Spotlight analysis shows a quarter of the fines issued by the ICO since 2017 have not been paid.

The Policy Ask with Carly Kind: “Don’t wait for permission to do the things you want”

The director of the Ada Lovelace Institute on Big Tech, disinformation, and the UK’s retreat from international human rights…

2021 was a record year for software vulnerabilities

The rising number of bugs represents a growing challenge for the cyber security industry.

The Policy Ask with Helen Margetts: “Zelensky shows the power of digital communication”

The political scientist on social media campaigns, the Online Safety Bill and ditching “first-past-the-post”.

How scammers are exploiting the war in Ukraine

Spotlight analysis reveals a spike in registrations of domains referencing the conflict.

The hackers out for energy

Data shows the cyber threat to energy infrastructure is escalating.

NSA cyber chief: Even the good hactivists are problematic

Rob Joyce discusses the ethical implications of online vigilantes in the Russia-Ukraine war.

How do we secure the hybrid office?

The key to overcoming new threats is to develop a comprehensive security policy, encompassing both remote access and application…

NCSC launches new security tool to help people spot suspicious emails

The government’s cyber security centre is ramping up its free online services to help more individuals and businesses identify…

Why Ukraine has stayed online

The conflict has shown that conventional forces are still the primary factor in war.

How ransomware shut down an English council

The attack that sent Redcar and Cleveland back to pen and paper.

Secure the edge to protect the core

Why software attestation alone is not enough to keep critical infrastructure safe.

The expanding threat landscape

Fortinet is building cyber resilience across industries

Features and analysis on today’s cyber security challenges. With Angela Eagle MP, Paul Maddinson and Simon Hepburn.

The Online Safety Bill gets a second look

Duty of care, the role of Ofcom and “legal but harmful” content were just some of the issues scrutinised…

US president Joe Biden’s cyber security chiefs to attend CyberUK summit

Influential figures across government and industry are set to meet next month at Britain’s flagship cyber security conference.

Spotlight Debates: Will the Online Safety Bill make the internet safer?

Leaders from politics, industry and civil society came together to assess the new legislation at the inaugural Spotlight Debates…

Why we need to end the crypto Wild West

Blockchain tech can be harnessed for good but only if we properly regulate the sector, says the shadow economic…

NCSC urges organisations using Russian tech to prepare for a cyber attack

While most businesses are “highly unlikely” to be targets of state-backed hacking, everyone should take precautions, says the National…

Action Fraud will be revamped to keep up with scams, confirms Damian Hinds

Fraud now accounts for over half of all UK crime, and the official reporting centre is not matching demand.

As cybercrime soars, NCSC chief urges greater vigilance

While teaching users the basics of online safety will be helpful, more needs to be done to stop scammers…

MPs, not tech bosses, will decide what is “legal but harmful” content

Under the revised Online Safety Bill, the government will give parliament the power to define the term rather than…

Encryption is not a right

We don’t need a ban on encryption but we do need more legal safeguards.

From QAnon to anti-vax: Can you cure a conspiracy theorist?

In a time of unfettered misinformation, psychology could be the remedy we need to help people who have been…

Features and analysis on today’s online safety challenges. With Damian Collins MP, Margaret Hodge MP, Chris Philp MP and…

Bullies in their bedrooms

Children’s lives are defined by the internet, but whose job is it to keep them safe?

Margaret Hodge: Anonymity is a privilege, not a right

“I was forced to think again about the impact of social media,” says the Labour MP for Barking.