Government Proposes New Measures to Protect Businesses from Cybercrime

UK Government Cybercrime Measures

The UK Government has announced a plan to better protect themselves from the growing threat of cybercrime, including ransomware attacks. These attacks, where hackers lock or steal data and demand payment to release it, have caused major disruptions to companies, organisations, and individuals in recent years.

It is currently estimated that the cybercrime costs the UK economy billions of pounds every year.

Proposed Changes to Strengthen Cyber Defences

As part of its efforts, the government is considering introducing a targeted ban on ransomware payments for all public sector bodies and critical national infrastructure, including the NHS, local councils, and schools paying ransoms to cybercriminals. This proposal expands on the existing ban on payments by government departments. The aim is to make the UK less appealing to ransomware gangs and reduce the number of attacks by cutting off their financial incentives.

Currently, some organisations choose to pay ransoms in an attempt to recover stolen data or avoid further harm. However, experts warn that paying ransoms often encourages more attacks and does not guarantee the safe return of data.

In addition to the potential ban, the government plans to introduce new rules requiring all businesses to report ransomware attacks. This would help authorities track the scale of the problem, support victims, and share valuable information to prevent future attacks while also enable means to block payments to known criminal groups and sanctioned entities.

What are the current levels of cyber crime in the UK

According to the 2024 Annual Review, The  National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) managed 430 cyber incidents between September 2023 and August 2024, including 13 ransomware incidents which were deemed to be nationally significant and posed serious harm to essential services or the wider economy. Reporting to the NCA indicates the number of UK victims appearing on ransomware data leak sites has also doubled since 2022.

Recent high-profile UK cyberattacks have included a key supplier to London Hospitals and Royal Mail, with devastating impacts on the public.

Why Businesses Need to Act Now

Cybercrime, particularly ransomware, is a growing challenge worldwide. These attacks can cause serious damage, including loss of sensitive data, financial harm, and reputational damage.

On the proposals and what organisations should be considering, National Cyber Security Centre CEO Richard Horne said:

“This consultation marks a vital step in our efforts to protect the UK from the crippling effects of ransomware attacks and the associated economic and societal costs.

“Organisations of all sizes need to build their defences against cyber attacks such as ransomware, and our website contains a wealth of advice tailored to different organisations.  In addition, using proven frameworks like Cyber Essentials, and free services like NCSC’s Early Warning, will help to strengthen their overall security posture.

“And organisations across the country need to strengthen their ability to continue operations in the face of the disruption caused by successful ransomware attacks. This isn’t just about having backups in place: organisations need to make sure they have tested plans to continue their operations in the extended absence of IT should an attack be successful and have a tested plan to rebuild their systems from backups.”

As IT Support and Cyber Security specialists, Information Solutions urges businesses to take proactive steps to strengthen their cybersecurity. This includes a variety of tools and processes such as:

By improving their defences, businesses can reduce the risk of being targeted and help protect the UK’s economy and national security.

Have Your Say

The government is inviting feedback on these proposals to ensure they are effective and practical for businesses of all sizes. Organisations and individuals can share their views on the measures by visiting the Home Office official consultation page.

Protect your Organisation

Looking to ensure your organisation has the right tools and measures in place to keep protected or unsure of your current situation and how to improve, we can help.