
Businesses to notify government about ransom payments in cyber crime crackdown
New measures would ban public sector bodies and operators of critical national infrastructure from paying ransom demands to hackers.
The Home Office said this would help 'smash the cyber criminal business model' and make UK public services and businesses a less attractive target for ransomware groups.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents involved in a public consultation, opened in January, showed support for the proposal, it said.
Furthermore, under the proposals, businesses not covered by the ban would be required to notify the government if they intended to pay a ransom.
The Government hopes this would allow it to give affected businesses advice and support, including alerting them if such a payment would risk breaking the law by sending money to sanctioned cyber criminal groups, many of whom are based in Russia.
Ransomware refers to software used by cyber criminals to access the computer systems of its victims, which can then be encrypted or data stolen until a ransom is paid.
M&S was targeted by hackers in April, forcing it to shut down its website for six weeks and costing the business an estimated £300 million.
Co-op's hackers accessed data from all 6.5 million of its members (Co-op/PA)
Co-op also had to shut off parts of its IT systems after a cyber attack that resulted in all 6.5 million of its members' personal data being stolen – including names, addresses and contact information.
M&S's chair Archie Norman said earlier this month that the hack was believed to be instigated by hacking group Scattered Spider and an Asia-based ransomware operation named DragonForce.
He refused to say whether or not the retailer had paid a ransomware demand following the attack, but said the 'damage had been done' once its systems were compromised.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said: 'Ransomware is a predatory crime that puts the public at risk, wrecks livelihoods and threatens the services we depend on.
'That's why we're determined to smash the cyber criminal business model and protect the services we all rely on as we deliver our plan for change.'
The chief executive of the British Library, Rebecca Lawrence, said it had been the 'victim of a devastating ransomware attack in October 2023'.
'The attack destroyed our technology infrastructure and continues to impact our users, however, as a public body, we did not engage with the attackers or pay the ransom,' she said.
'Instead, we are committed to sharing our experiences to help protect other institutions affected by cyber crime and build collective resilience for the future.'
Co-op's chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq said she welcomed the Government's proposals, adding: 'We know first-hand the damage and disruption cyber attacks cause to businesses and communities.'
The package of measures could also result in the introduction of a mandatory reporting regime, which would give law enforcement greater intelligence to track down perpetrators, according to the Home Office.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Thames Water faces rocketing demand for supplies
Thames Water has warned that plans to build 100 new data centres across London and the South East will pile more pressure on its creaking infrastructure. The utility giant said it had identified 108 'hyper or large' data centres that will drive up demand in its region, with bosses suggesting it will have to manage water supplies carefully to ensure there is no impact on households. Each data centre is equivalent to thousands of homes being added to a water network, meaning the pipeline of new data centres is on par with a new small city being built. In its annual report, Thames Water said that building data centres 'needs to be carefully managed from a demand and UK growth perspective'. The company, which is battling to avoid nationalisation amid pressure from a £17bn debt pile, has previously raised the prospect of rationing water use for data centres or charging more at peak times. Data centres contain giant racks of computer servers that need to be cooled to avoid overheating, often with water piped in. The facilities are crucial to the rise of artificial intelligence and are a key priority for Sir Keir Starmer's growth push. However, the vast number being built has sparked concern among water companies such as Thames Water, which is now engaging with the Government to prevent potential shortages in future. 'The south-east of England is a water-stressed region and data centres can use a vast amount of water, equivalent to the usage of thousands of homes at peak draw,' a Thames Water spokesman said. 'With a large proportion of the proposed data centres earmarked to be built in the Thames Water region, it brings a challenge between safeguarding our finite resources while supporting the UK's growth strategy. 'It is important that we work collaboratively to meet this challenge and to avoid exacerbating water stress and impacting service for customers and the environment.' 'We are engaging with the Government regarding the challenge of water demand related to cooling data centres and how this can be mitigated. We are also working with a number of data centre providers about opportunities to reduce demand through innovation.' A corridor of land between London and Slough, much of which is served by Thames Water, contains Britain's densest collection of data centres. An independent review of the water sector last week cited data centres as one of the factors that are likely to mean water bills rising by 30pc over the next five years. The report, by Sir Jon Cunliffe, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, said that national infrastructure bodies should be consulted when deciding where to build them. The Government has welcomed investment in new data centres, including designating them as critical national infrastructure. Thames Water last week started a hosepipe ban for more than 1 million people in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. The company is also seeking to agree a rescue deal with creditors, but has warned it may fall into special administration if talks between the lenders and regulator Ofwat fail.


BreakingNews.ie
35 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Shaolin Temple leader under investigation on suspicion of embezzling funds
China's famous Shaolin Temple has announced that its abbot is under investigation on suspicion of misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets. Shi Yongxin was alleged to have committed criminal offences and seriously violated the Buddhist precepts by maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child, according to a notice from the temple's authority on its WeChat account. Advertisement The notice said multiple departments are conducting a joint investigation against Shi Yongxin, and relevant findings would be announced to the public in due course. The fame of the Shaolin Temple, based in the central Chinese province of Henan, has gone beyond a religious institution. Shi Yongxin, third from right, is alleged to have committed several offences (Chinatopix via AP) It is also famous for its martial arts culture, or kung fu, which has been referenced in many movies and TV dramas, including the 1982 film The Shaolin Temple, starring martial arts superstar Jet Li. The news about Shi Yongxin, whose original name Liu Yingcheng, ranked top on Chinese search engine Baidu and X-like social media platform Weibo on Sunday night. Advertisement Local media reported that the abbot had been hit by scandalous accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money. According to news outlet Caixin Global, provincial investigation reports exonerated him of all charges in 2016. Shi Yongxin entered Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999, according to the temple's website. Xinhua in 2015 reported that he was known as a 'CEO monk,' as one of the first Chinese monks to obtain an MBA, and he had sparked controversy for developing commercial operations like lucrative kung fu shows and merchandise. Earlier on Sunday, Chinese local media outlets reported that authorities had dismissed an online notice claiming Shi Yongxin was intercepted by authorities while trying to flee with his mistresses and children as fake.

South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Grade II Listed Magor guest house up for sale for £995,000
The Brick House Country Guest House, listed by Christie & Co, is a Grade II Listed property dating back to 1790. The charming residence, which has been owned by the current occupant for an astounding 76 years, is on the market for a guide price of £995,000. According to the estate agent, the guest house was originally built by William Phillips of nearby Whitson Court. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) It has only changed hands twice since then. Originally a farm house, it began offering bed and breakfast services in 1974, a tradition that has continued to this day. The estate agent noted that the property has remained an incredibly popular bed and breakfast, attracting both regular and new guests. Its semi-rural location, just three miles from the M4, has contributed to its enduring success. In addition to the main house, there is a detached bungalow in the grounds which is currently let out on an assured shorthold tenancy (AST), providing further rental income. There is also a partly converted two-storey barn attached to the main house. Once finished, this could offer two bedrooms, a sitting room, and a kitchen. The property is located in Redwick, a peaceful village on the outskirts of Magor, Monmouthshire. It is approximately three miles from Junction 23A of the M4 motorway, providing easy access to Newport, Cardiff, and Bristol. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) The area offers a tranquil rural setting with access to both countryside and urban attractions. These include Magor Square, the Procurator's House, St Mary's Church, Redwick Village, Caldicot Castle & Country Park, and the Gwent Levels. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) The Welsh Coast Path and National Cycle Route also pass close by, providing easy access to the guest house. Inside the property, you enter via a timber-framed, glazed porch into an open plan hall featuring the main staircase. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) This leads to the guest lounge, which boasts a bar area with exposed beams and a feature stone fireplace. There is also a formal sitting room, a guest dining room, a kitchen/breakfast room, a garden room, and an office. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) The main staircase leads to a dual landing housing three ensuite double bedrooms. The second floor offers four bedrooms, two doubles and two singles, with the double bedrooms offering ensuite bathrooms. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) Further accommodation can be accessed from the first floor landing or a separate staircase from the main kitchen. This includes two bedrooms with built-in storage and a separate bathroom. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) Externally, there is off-road parking for numerous vehicles, mature gardens and grounds, and an adjoining three-acre paddock, available via separate negotiation. The gardens, mostly laid to lawn with mature shrub, hedge, and flower borders, wrap around the property. (Image: Christie and Co via Rightmove) An outside terrace makes it perfect for alfresco dining, with views of the countryside and beyond. Included within the freehold sale are two further properties. The first is an attached barn, which is fully wired, plumbed, and plastered, but now requires the second fix for completion. The other is a cottage, which has been let to the current tenant for the last six years on an AST basis. The cottage features a sitting room with central electric fire, a kitchen, a garden room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. According to the estate agent, this is a fantastic opportunity to be the next custodian of a truly beautiful farmhouse. They noted that the property has a multitude of uses, from continuing the current B&B trade to creating a special family home. With the option to provide extra income via the rental properties or offering multigenerational living opportunities, it's a safe bet for years to come, they added. Coupled with the idyllic countryside location, proximity to major cities and road networks, and having the option to acquire further land, it's a property not to be missed.