‘Arson, sabotage, cyber attacks’: UK enters new era of threats from hostile states

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1. The threats to the UK from hostile states plotting arson, assassinations and[ cyber attacks](https://inews.co.uk/topic/cyber-attacks?srsltid=AfmBOoqxvZD-y3Ab3oIqHtXXqmmO3iBL2mOSsF0IxwX0ULhSPQRk9edg&ico=in-line_link) has risen significantly, a senior Government official has revealed.

   British [security services](https://inews.co.uk/news/putin-recruiting-uk-based-agents-security-services-worried-3416982?srsltid=AfmBOopXIU-G35bWHMRwpXZenekk0txVxd7JmIh3PnpcQnXq6_jlr8eb&ico=in-line_link) are now investigating 50 per cent more threats than a year ago, according to Jonathan Allen, the director general for defence and intelligence at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

   Allen also warned that while adversaries were “using a full range of threats”, the UK had “lost expertise” in combating them.

   “Here in the UK and across Europe, we’re seeing arson, assassination, sabotage, cyber attacks and industrial scale information manipulation,” said Allen during a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi).

   The security expert and former diplomat said states were using “criminal groups” to carry out their operations, adding that they were “using the tactics of terrorists”.

   Allen did not name the states he was referring to, but [the new leader of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, has previously identified Russia, China, Iran and North Korea](https://inews.co.uk/news/army-three-year-prepare-possible-war-russia-3185095?srsltid=AfmBOoo0PNZE7JkHI-QqBA3n7KBMveZZ7-Wh22I_DhGclwmIXEBrZNh1&ico=in-line_link) as growing threats to the UK.

   Global tension is rife, with more ongoing conflicts than at any time since the Second World War.

   While the risk of all-out war involving the UK is not imminent, the [British forces are bracing for threats](https://inews.co.uk/news/global-threats-uk-military-worried-2025-3435964?srsltid=AfmBOorUg0drka7JvtFSp5rTNEmTGUjEiHh1lmEJAg_WwMiHfb3WzUtl&ico=in-line_link) ranging from conflict in the Indo-Pacific to direct hits from Russia.

   “In the last year, the amount of state threat investigations our security services are running has increased by nearly 50 per cent,” said Allen.

   Another expert said the threats were being described in “epic” terms and one said cyber attacks were becoming the “new normal”.

2. Enters? We’re sat down, finished our starter, and can smell the main course coming from the kitchen.

3. Didn’t GCHQ play an active role in the creation of Stuxnet?

4. Like the US government is about to become a hostile state, once Donny & Elo take over.

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