Russian cyber operatives disguised as media personnel launched assaults on the Ministry of Defence and the government, authorities claim.
Russia-linked hackers attempted to infiltrate the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a sophisticated cyber espionage operation, government officials have disclosed. Posed as journalists, these hackers sent spear phishing emails to MoD staff to plant malware, in an attack known as "Damascened Peacock."
The initial attempt involved multiple emails with urgent requests, while a subsequent attempt was disguised with a financial theme aimed at tricking recipients into clicking malicious links. UK authorities succeeded in detecting the infiltration and preventing it from occurring.
To strengthen its cybersecurity defenses against future threats, the UK government has announced plans to invest more than £1bn in enhancing its technology and capabilities. A key aspect of this involves establishing a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command to oversee offensive and defensive cyber operations.
This escalation in the UK's cyber warfare capabilities came in response to a significant increase in cyber attacks aimed at the UK military and other defense sectors, according to the MoD. More than 90,000 such attacks, more than doubling from the previous two years, have been recorded over the past two years.
The British Royal Navy's aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, heavily fortified with state-of-the-art F-35 fast jets, and accompanied by a task force of warships, is currently traveling through the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. The cyber team is working diligently to protect the deployment from potential cyber threats during this passage, which may pass through high-risk regions.
The operational team consists of a mix of military personnel, civil servants, and civilian contractors based at the secure Global Operations Security Control Centre in Wiltshire. They are responsible for defending the MoD's networks, both in the UK and overseas. One of the officials involved in the "Damascened Peacock" operation shared that the attack was detected within an hour, describing the experience as "cool."
This incident highlights the changing nature of warfare, with cyber attacks increasingly used as weapons of war. UK Defense Secretary John Healey acknowledged this trend, stating that the UK is now responding accordingly. In a recent visit to a secure MoD facility in Wiltshire, he emphasized the UK's commitment to maintaining superior defenses and adapting quickly to advance threats.
Additionally, a major podcast series, set to launch on June 10, 2023, aims to explore the current state of UK defenses by simulating a Russian attack on the UK. The series, produced in collaboration with Tortoise, will be a dynamically engaging exploration of the UK's evolving defense landscape in light of modern cyber and geopolitical challenges.
Related topics include the Defense, John Healey, and Ministry of Defence, as well as a recent development concerning new British "StormShroud" drones, growing calls for UK withdrawal from landmine treaties, and the discovery of sensitive military documents in Newcastle.
- The Damascened Peacock operation underscores the growing use of cyber attacks as weapons in modern conflicts and wars.
- In response to increasing cyber threats towards the UK military and defense sectors, the UK government plans to invest more than £1bn in technology and capabilities, which includes the establishment of a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command.
- UK politics and general news are heavily focused on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, with debates around the development of superior defenses, such as the new StormShroud drones, and the implications of withdrawing from landmine treaties.
