Iranian regime-affiliated hackers reportedly shut down a British power facility for four days in a cyberattack against the United Kingdom.
According to a report from The Telegraph, the unprecedented attack is believed to be the first known instance in which hackers affiliated with the Iranian regime successfully shut down an energy facility in the UK. The incident was reported to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and officials did not disclose which power facility was affected due to security concerns.
The facility was reportedly disabled for four days as staff worked to restore it. The attack is not believed to have affected the UK’s wider power supply.
The British government reportedly responded by briefing the CEOs of power companies about the threat of future cyberattacks. The incident comes as British and American officials have warned about the risks posed by hackers affiliated with Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea targeting critical infrastructure.
Last month, the UK Cabinet Office published an official risk assessment that estimated the likelihood of cyberattacks against domestic infrastructure at between five and 25 percent. It warned that “AI can automate the process of launching cyber-attacks, making them faster, more efficient and lower the barrier for entry.”
“The UK has a highly resilient energy system. We work closely with the energy sector to protect infrastructure and ensure the highest security standards,” a government spokesperson stated. “This story refers to an incident impacting a small-scale energy generator, and at no point was there a risk to the wider energy system.”
The US has also faced recent cyberattacks affecting water treatment facilities, reportedly causing flooding and losses of water pressure. The attacks emerged in July, and the FBI initially attributed them to “malicious cyber actors.” US government sources later told the media that the attacks were likely carried out by Iranian-affiliated hackers.
According to a report from The Telegraph, the unprecedented attack is believed to be the first known instance in which hackers affiliated with the Iranian regime successfully shut down an energy facility in the UK. The incident was reported to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and officials did not disclose which power facility was affected due to security concerns.
The facility was reportedly disabled for four days as staff worked to restore it. The attack is not believed to have affected the UK’s wider power supply.
The British government reportedly responded by briefing the CEOs of power companies about the threat of future cyberattacks. The incident comes as British and American officials have warned about the risks posed by hackers affiliated with Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea targeting critical infrastructure.
Last month, the UK Cabinet Office published an official risk assessment that estimated the likelihood of cyberattacks against domestic infrastructure at between five and 25 percent. It warned that “AI can automate the process of launching cyber-attacks, making them faster, more efficient and lower the barrier for entry.”
“The UK has a highly resilient energy system. We work closely with the energy sector to protect infrastructure and ensure the highest security standards,” a government spokesperson stated. “This story refers to an incident impacting a small-scale energy generator, and at no point was there a risk to the wider energy system.”
The US has also faced recent cyberattacks affecting water treatment facilities, reportedly causing flooding and losses of water pressure. The attacks emerged in July, and the FBI initially attributed them to “malicious cyber actors.” US government sources later told the media that the attacks were likely carried out by Iranian-affiliated hackers.
