Russians Hit U.K. Tech Firms With Cyber Attacks, Top Spy Says

Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre publicly confirmed for the first time that Russia has carried out internet assaults on major U.K. energy, technology and media companies, as tensions escalate over the Kremlin’s interference in Western democracies, according to Bloomberg.

NCSC Chief Executive Officer Ciaran Martin said his organization, which is part of GCHQ, the U.K.’s communications interception agency, has dealt with more than 600 cyber attacks since it was created last year. Of those, 35 were designated “significant incidents,“ in which the threat to Britain was deemed severe enough for government ministers and spy agencies’ full resources to be used.

“I can’t get into precise details of intelligence matters, but I can confirm that Russian interference seen by the National Cyber Security Centre over the past year has included attacks on the U.K. media, telecommunications and energy sectors,“ Martin said in a speech in London. “Russia is seeking to undermine the international system. That much is clear.“

Prime Minister Theresa May warned the Kremlin is behind “a sustained campaign“ of cyber espionage and disruption. “We know what you are doing,“ May said in a speech, addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin and insisting he would not succeed.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said May’s comments were “irresponsible and groundless“ and argued she was trying to distract attention from internal government splits over Brexit.