UK report warns of increased cyber-related attacks

London, Feb. 6 (ANI): A British Government report has warned that the country is at risk of being confronted by a series of network-related attacks, the frequency and seriousness of which, cannot be underestimated.

According to The Independent, search engine giant Google and the National Security Agency are finalising details of a co-operative deal aimed at boosting the search engine's defences after it was hit by sophisticated hacking attacks.

US and British officials say what is at stake goes far beyond attempted state censorship, with military infrastructure and financial markets becoming vulnerable.

To overcome that risk, the Green Paper just published by the British Government has stated that part of the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review will focus on the risks posed by technology in enemy hands.

At the moment, it is believed that insurgents with the right electronic capability could jam weapons systems and intercept classified communications during military missions.

"Cyber space, in particular, poses serious and complex challenges for UK security and for the armed forces' operations... Cyber attacks are already an important element of the security environment and are growing in seriousness and frequency," says the report.

"The most sophisticated threat is from established and capable states but cyber eliminates the importance of distance, is low cost and anonymous in nature, making it an important domain not just for hostile states, but terrorists and criminals."

The US administration is expected to use the Google security breach to step up counter-measures in the cyber field.

Britain is working with key NATO allies to formulate defences in the cyber war. (ANI)