UK Cyber Shield Blocks 1 Billion Attacks on Telecom Networks
▼ Summary
– The UK’s NCSC Share and Defend service has prevented nearly one billion early-stage cyber-attacks in under a year by blocking access to scam websites.
– This service proactively blocks threats by sharing analyzed threat intelligence, like malicious URLs, with partner ISPs who integrate it into their DNS filters.
– When UK users attempt to visit a known malicious site, their connection is automatically blocked before harm occurs.
– The UK government plans to publish a new National Cyber Action Plan and an updated National Cyber Strategy in 2026, promising clearer roles and expectations.
– The updated strategy, developed with input from over 400 partners, aims to rectify the previous version’s shortcomings by being more explicit and business-focused.
A groundbreaking cybersecurity initiative in the United Kingdom has successfully intercepted nearly one billion malicious online attacks over the past year. This significant achievement stems from the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Share and Defend service, a proactive defense system designed to protect national telecommunications infrastructure. Security Minister Dan Jarvis revealed these results at the Financial Times Cyber Resilience Summit in London, highlighting a major step forward in national digital security.
Minister Jarvis made the announcement following a visit to telecommunications giant BT, a key partner in the program. The service, which became operational in May 2024, functions by identifying and blocking access to fraudulent websites before they can cause harm. “I took the opportunity to commend everyone involved for their dedication to this work,” Jarvis stated, acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the scenes.
The mechanics of Share and Defend involve gathering threat intelligence from various security partners and data feeds. This information includes indicators like malicious web domains and URLs, sourced from takedown reports and passive DNS monitoring. The collected data is then distributed to internet service providers and other industry allies, who integrate it directly into their domain name system filters. Consequently, when a user in the UK clicks on a link from a phishing email or a scam advertisement, their attempt to reach the dangerous site is automatically stopped. This process happens seamlessly, preventing data theft or malware infection at the earliest possible stage.
Beyond BT, the collaborative network includes other major telecom providers such as Vodafone and TalkTalk, alongside organizations like the Cyber Defence Alliance and Jisc, which operates the national research and education network. This united front is a core component of the government’s broader Stop! Think Fraud public awareness campaign, creating a multi-layered defense strategy.
Minister Jarvis emphasized that these impressive results demonstrate a clear commitment to strengthening national resilience. The proactive blocking of threats makes Britain a harder target for cybercriminals, safeguarding both citizens and the economy on a daily basis. He confirmed the government’s intention to continue leveraging technology and fostering strong industry partnerships to counter evolving threats.
This announcement coincides with upcoming government policy publications focused on cybersecurity. Officials are preparing to release a new National Cyber Action Plan in early 2026, described by Jarvis as a business-centric strategy developed in close consultation with the private sector. Furthermore, an updated National Cyber Strategy is slated for publication in the spring of 2026.
Jarvis offered a critique of the previous strategy published in 2022, noting it was overly lengthy and failed to provide clear directives for both government action and business expectations. He promised the revised version under the current administration would delineate specific roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders. The new strategy will also establish tailored cybersecurity expectations for companies, regardless of their size or annual revenue.
To inform these critical documents, the government has already engaged in extensive consultations. Jarvis confirmed discussions with over 400 individual partners, including organizations from across the business sector, operators of critical national infrastructure, and international allies. This comprehensive outreach aims to ensure the final strategies are robust, practical, and widely supported.
(Source: Info Security)
