GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler is warning that Britain and its Western allies are facing a moment of consequence in a new era of radical uncertainty. In an inaugural annual lecture on Wednesday, she will state that there is a narrowing technological window to stay ahead of security risks.
Keast-Butler highlighted that China is a science and tech superpower with advanced intelligence capabilities. She warned that Western nations are running out of time to maintain their technological edge and urged businesses to work with intelligence officials in order to stay ahead.
The spy chief also cautioned that Russia is relentlessly targeting Britain's infrastructure and democracy while scaling up its daily hybrid activity against the UK and Europe. According to the director, Russia is becoming more brazen as battlefield losses in Ukraine mount.
With hacker attacks from both states continuing, Keast-Butler warned that the risk of miscalculation is as high as she has ever seen it. She stressed that Britain and its allies risk losing a cyber conflict against adversaries like Russia unless cybersecurity is treated with greater urgency.