Nearly Half of U.K. Factories Admit to Falling Victim of Cyberattack

A new survey found that 48 percent of U.K. factories have been hit by a cyberattack.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Apr 24, 2018

A new survey has found that 48 percent of U.K. factories have been hit by a cyberattack. The data comes after more than 80 of the country's manufacturing plants suffered cyberattacks, which could put critical national infrastructure at risk.

Utility, transport and health services have been warned by British authorities that Russian hackers are taking advantage of unprotected networks.

“Russia has been probing us for years and years. This is far more than reconnaissance. Anyone who is burying their head in the sand and saying that Russia isn’t attacking us is mad,” said a cyber security expert at INSINIA Security.

The anonymous survey of almost 170 manufacturers also found that half of those who were hit with a cyber security indecent also suffered some financial loss or disruption to business as a result.

Some cybersecurity experts believe there might even be some factories that have been breached, but just don't know it yet.

"There's evidence out there that there is quite a lot of malware that is designed to sit in the background, not really do very much, while the infected doesn't even know it is happening," an expert said.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that critical companies in the United Kingdom could face a hefty fine, up to £17 million ($24 million), if they don't ensure their cybersecurity is up to par.