LONDON: China poses a genuine and increasing cyber risk to the UK, the head of British spy agency GCHQ said on Tuesday, adding that while Russia and Iran represented an immediate threat, Beijing was an epoch-defining challenge.
In a significant address at a security conference in Birmingham, central England, Anne Keast-Butler, the head of British spy agency GCHQ, said that the upcoming years will be characterized by significant dangers and transformations.
Keast-Butler emphasized the acute and pervasive nature of the threat posed by Russia, labeling it as a global concern. She also noted Iran’s aggressive activities in cyberspace, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by both nations.
However, Keast-Butler stressed that the most significant challenge lies in China’s actions in the digital realm. She warned that the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) irresponsible behavior not only undermines the security of the internet but also poses a risk to global cybersecurity standards.
“In cyberspace, we believe that the PRC’s irresponsible actions weaken the security of the internet for all,” Keast-Butler remarked.
