On 14 October 2025, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released its Annual Review, revealing a 50 per cent surge in highly significant UK cyber attacks—18 cases over the year to August. China was flagged as a 'highly sophisticated and capable' threat actor fuelling this escalation.
From covert espionage to disruptive sabotage, Beijing-backed hackers target critical infrastructure and businesses relentlessly in a grey zone of global tensions that endangers national security. As everyday firms reel from breaches like the Co-operative Group's £206 million hit, the NCSC urges immediate resilience-building before the next wave strikes.
